PURPOSE: To report the postoperative finding of a dense, permanent, peripheral temporal visual field defect in the treated eyes of three patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with air/fluid exchange. METHODS: The patient's charts were reviewed. RESULTS: Visual field loss after pars plana vitrectomy and air/fluid exchange occurs and may be caused by mechanical trauma to the optic nerve head. CONCLUSION: Great caution is advised when aspirating directly over the optic nerve with any extrusion instrument.