Clinical guidance
  • Retina

Day one post-operative review in vitrectomy surgery

  • Last updated or reviewed: 2 January 2026
  • First published: 2 January 2026
Viterectomy-day-1-post-operative (PDF)

Concise practice points on when post-operative day one review after vitrectomy may be omitted, considered or advised. For vitreoretinal surgeons and service leads balancing patient safety, follow-up burden and risk of raised intraocular pressure.

This concise practice points document reviews the evidence on post-operative day one review after vitrectomy surgery, with a particular focus on detecting and treating significantly raised intraocular pressure. It concludes that day one review may be conditionally omitted for selected patients having uncomplicated routine vitrectomy without key risk factors such as pre-existing ocular hypertension or glaucoma and use of gas tamponade. For patients with pre-existing co-morbidity, complicated surgery, or higher risk of pressure rise, prophylactic intraocular pressure-lowering treatment and day one review should still be considered or advised. The guidance also stresses the need for clear patient instructions, education on expected and red flag symptoms, and reliable contact routes where day one review is omitted