# Why are vitrectomies so expensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 10, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292 "2017-05-10T15:42:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![femmejean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/0ea827/32.png) [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/1 "2017-05-10T15:42:32Z")
My mother recently told me that a 28yr old uncle of mine received a FOV (Floater Only Vitretomy), a surgery which replaces the vitreous humour in both eyes with a saline solution to remove floater debris . Apparently it cost him between $4000-8000!:eek: Why is it so expensive? Judging from YouTube videos, it looks like quite a simple procedure. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/2 "2017-05-10T16:04:28Z")
Well, for starters the stuff they replace the eye goop with has to be VERY pure. Also, the guy doing the work makes it _look_ simple and easy, but he (or she) had to undergo a lot of schooling and training to be able to do the work properly and reliably. And, frankly, $8k for an eye procedure isn’t “expensive” in today’s world. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/3 "2017-05-10T16:07:03Z")
I read that it involves at least one night in hospital and a lengthy time under anaesthetic, and this is doubled because each eye is done separately. Add in the pre-op consults and it’s easy to see $8,000 in the US. Probably half that anywhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/4 "2017-05-10T16:11:06Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > And, frankly, $8k for an eye procedure isn’t “expensive” in today’s world. Agreed. We spent more than that on dining room chairs. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/5 "2017-05-10T16:13:34Z")
My god, I didn’t realize this procedure was so cheap. I may consider it, as my floaters are quite bothersome. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/6 "2017-05-10T16:25:44Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > My god, I didn’t realize this procedure was so cheap. I may consider it, as my floaters are quite bothersome. You do realize that the three 0’s you are seeing after the $8 are _not_ floaters? ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/7 "2017-05-10T16:28:34Z")
I am shocked that it is only $8k. I had a victrectomy when I had my first retinal detachment surgery. Sure, they had to do a bit more than just the victrectomy (smoothing and re-attaching the retina), but I can’t imagine the resources required to do the surgery would be any less. I had the first surgery as an emergency on a Sunday morning, so everyone who was on site was there just for my procedure. A retinal surgeon, a surgical fellow assisting, an anesthesiologist, and a few nurses. You need an OR and a recovery room. Way more involved than LASIK, more like my cataract surgery. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/8 "2017-05-10T16:31:36Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > I read that it involves at least one night in hospital and a lengthy time under anaesthetic, and this is doubled because each eye is done separately. Add in the pre-op consults and it’s easy to see $8,000 in the US. Probably half that anywhere else. I’m imagining how much insurance on elective eye surgery is, and how much that adds to the cost of this procedure. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/9 "2017-05-10T19:49:56Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > You do realize that the three 0’s you are seeing after the $8 are _not_ floaters? Oh, there are only THREE zeros! Even better. 🙂 Honestly, I’m more concerned about the risks than the cost. An eye doctor once told me it would be crazy to have a vitrectomy merely for floaters (although he did do one once on a professional tennis player whose floaters were interfering with his game). So I’m surprised to be seeing that this now seems like a fairly routine procedure for floaters. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/10 "2017-05-10T21:08:33Z")
Speaking as someone who had a bad outcome from a “routine” eye surgery, I would avoid any such invasive procedure unless the floaters are interfering with your life. I really don’t think that victrectomy is in any way routine for normal, age-related floaters. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/11 "2017-05-10T21:14:37Z")
Ugh. Just the bare thought of ANY surgery INSIDE MY EYES is unthinkable to me. It makes every muscle in my body cringe. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/12 "2017-05-10T21:15:21Z")
I heard about an orthopedic surgeon who was asked, “Why did you charge $5,000 to put a screw in my broken bone?” The surgeon replied, “$1 for the screw and $4,999 for knowing how to do it correctly.” ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/13 "2017-05-10T22:10:17Z")
When I had a vitrectomy + repair of torn retina, it took an hour or so and it was done as an outpatient. There was a surgeon, his fellow (who actually did it) and a couple nurses. Of course, living in Canada, it didn’t cost me a cent. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/14 "2017-05-10T23:38:05Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Ugh. Just the bare thought of ANY surgery INSIDE MY EYES is unthinkable to me. It makes every muscle in my body cringe. When you have no choice, you get used to the idea. By the fourth procedure it was old hat. ---
**Author:** ![femmejean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/0ea827/32.png) [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/15 "2017-05-11T10:52:37Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > My god, I didn’t realize this procedure was so cheap. I may consider it, as my floaters are quite bothersome. There is an alternative option that uses a YAG laser. Don’t know the science behind it but I’m sure that several dopers have come across it. 1.) [YAG Laser - Medicine (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nd:YAG_laser#Medicine) 2.) [Laser Treatment Floater](http://www.eyefloaters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=70) ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/16 "2017-05-11T11:58:24Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > When I had a vitrectomy + repair of torn retina, it took an hour or so and it was done as an outpatient. There was a surgeon, his fellow (who actually did it) and a couple nurses. Of course, living in Canada, it didn’t cost me a cent. Torn retina does not involve removing the vitreous humor. Big difference compared to a detached retina or any other procedure involving a vitrectomy. No comparison. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/17 "2017-05-11T13:12:22Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Torn retina does not involve removing the vitreous humor. Big difference compared to a detached retina or any other procedure involving a vitrectomy. No comparison. Well, hold on, my mother had a vitrectomy because the change in the eye fluid was tugging on her retina, opening a hole. That may be what Hari is talking about. And let me say that the idea that I will likely have to undergo this procedure at some point horrifies me. Why can’t they just invent a chemical that helps the vitreous humor stay … humoriffic? How about it, science? ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/18 "2017-05-11T13:17:38Z")
> [@femmejean](#): > > There is an alternative option that uses a YAG laser. Don’t know the science behind it but I’m sure that several dopers have come across it. > > 1.) [YAG Laser - Medicine (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nd:YAG_laser#Medicine) > > 2.) [Laser Treatment Floater](http://www.eyefloaters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=70) I need to look and see if this laser floater treatment has become more widely available and accepted, I would love to be rid of mine. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/19 "2017-05-11T15:22:48Z")
The neat thing is that after the vitrectomy the eye will naturally fill itself up with its own “saline” given time. To seal the retina reattachment, they fill the eye with SF6 gas to keep the retina in place. It’s slowly absorbed while saline makes its appearance. A somewhat disturbing effect is that as the fluid builds up inside the eye, your brain flips what it perceives as the “fill line”, so that the line starts at the top of your field of vision and slowly lowers as the fluid builds up. I praised the day when that annoying artifact disappeared from the bottom of my field of view. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292/20 "2017-05-11T15:48:50Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > A somewhat disturbing effect is that as the fluid builds up inside the eye, your brain flips what it perceives as the “fill line”, so that the line starts at the top of your field of vision and slowly lowers as the fluid builds up. So… if you stood on your head would the liquid/whatever respond to gravity and you could see the fill line move to a different position? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vitrectomies-so-expensive/786292.md?page=2)