Doctors said this is a common procedure as the gas bubble acts as a bandage for the retina, however, recovery time is different for each individual. “When the bubble is in the eye, light can’t get through and you really can’t see during that period,” Retinal Specialist Dr. Garvin Davis, MD explained. “So the only thing you can see is maybe a hand waving in front of your face.” Dr. Davis noted, the patient needs to be face down because it causes the gas bubble to float. As the gas bubble floats, it pushes the very important part of the retina back onto the surface of the eye.