While there are many excellent courses, articles, and textbooks available concerning vitreoretinal surgery, improvement in judgment and surgical skills must principally come about by self-education. The complexity of high-technology vitreous surgery on high-risk patients demands a continued assessment of surgical and biologic results. Vitreous surgery requires an excellent training in microsurgery and retinal diseases. Eye bank eyes, porcine eyes, and molded rubber practice eyes can be used for surgical practice (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). It is simply poor judgment to begin vitreous surgery or a new technique on the human patient without sufficient practice. After reading the available literature, visiting other surgeons, and attending appropriate courses, progress will be made in the laboratory. When sufficient competency is obtained in the laboratory, the beginning surgeon should assemble the disposables and equipment required for simulated surgery. Simulator technology has improved, gaining substantial fidelity in recent years, and has the advantages that disease states and intraoperative complications can be simulated. The EyeSi simulator has an excellent vitreoretinal module and is highly recommended. Regardless of the presence of other vitreous surgeons at the same institution, it is the responsibility of the beginning surgeon to go through this practice surgery approach. It is absolutely the responsibility of each surgeon to make certain that all equipment is available and functioning. Unfortunately, many surgeons fall into the trap of placing this responsibility upon technicians, nurses, and ancillary personnel. Practice surgery in the actual operating room should be repeated on the days preceding vitreous surgery if the case in question has not been approached before or the procedures are done infrequently.