Management of endophthalmitis while preserving the uninvolved crystalline lens

Twelve phakic eyes (11 patients) with culture-positive endophthalmitis were treated without removal of the uninvolved crystalline lens. Eight eyes were treated by pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular injection of antibiotics. Four eyes were treated with intraocular antibiotic injection alone. The clinical infection was successfully eradicated in all patients, including one patient treated with reinjection of antibiotics. During follow-up after successful treatment, eight eyes had progression of a preexisting lens opacification, two eyes had stable lens opacification, and two eyes maintained clear lenses. Six of 12 eyes achieved 20/80 or better visual acuity with an average follow-up time of 13 months. Six of eight eyes treated with pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular antibiotic injection achieved this level of visual acuity in contrast to none of four eyes treated with only intraocular antibiotic injection. These results indicated that endophthalmitis in phakic eyes can be successfully treated while preserving a clear, uninvolved crystalline lens by the use of pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular administration of appropriate antibiotics.     

Endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis: a retrospective study on 22 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND: Cases of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis were analysed regarding predisposing factors, timing of diagnosis, sources of infection, causative organisms, and visual outcome. The value of an immediate vitrectomy compared to exclusively injected intravitreal antibiotics was evaluated reviewing the literature. METHODS: Records of 22 consecutive cases of the last 9 years with endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis were reviewed. The identified source of infection was treated with systemic antibiotics. All affected eyes were treated with intraocular injection of antibiotics, whenever possible combined with vitrectomy. RESULTS: 90% of the patients had severe predisposing diseases, primarily diabetes mellitus combined with renal insufficiency and urinary tract infection (70%). Diagnoses were made 3.5 days after beginning of symptoms. An average of 75% of the patients had gram-positive and 25% gram-negative bacteria as causative organisms. Most common gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis. In 73% of all eyes vitrectomy was used as primary treatment. In 57% of the cases the visual outcome was light perception or better (excluding primary enucleations and deceased patients). 7% of the eyes had no light perception, 36% underwent secondary enucleation. Especially in cases of early diagnoses (less than or equal to 2 days) therapy was successful (60% of the patients); in contrast to delayed diagnoses (33%). The literature review suggests that immediate vitrectomy is superior to exclusive intravitreal injection of antibiotics concerning bulb conservation and remaining function. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate diagnosis and therapy are crucial for a positive outcome in this ophthalmological emergency. Immediate pars plana vitrectomy with intraocular antibiotic instillation seems to improve the prognosis of the affected eyes.     

The results of pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade for endophthalmitis after intravitreal injections

To report the role of early vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade in acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection. Medical records of eight patients who presented with acute endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of different drugs were retrospectively reviewed. Initial treatment consisted of vitreous tap with cultures and injection of intravitreal antibiotics, with the patients subsequently undergoing pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade within 24 h following initial vitreous tap. The mean time to presentation was 1.7 days (1–3 days). The initial best-corrected visual acuity was hand motion to 0.05 before treatment and 0.05–0.8 (Snellen) after treatment. Vitreous cultures were obtained from all patients, of which four were culture positive. Endophthalmitis was controlled in all patients. There was no retinal detachment or phthisis bulbi during the follow-up period (1–4 years). Acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection occurs rapidly and requires urgent treatment. If intravitreal antibiotics fail to control inflammation, early pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade would be an appropriate option.     

Incidence and visual outcome of endophthalmitis associated with intraocular foreign bodies

Purpose To determine the risk factors and visual outcome of endophthalmitis associated with traumatic intraocular foreign body (IOFB) removal and its allied management. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of patients with penetrating eye trauma and retained IOFB with associated endophthalmitis managed at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital over a 22 year period (1983 to 2004). Results There were 589 eyes of 565 patients (90.3% male; 9.7% female) which sustained ocular trauma and had retained IOFB that required management. Forty-four eyes (7.5%) developed clinical evidence of endophthalmitis at some point after trauma. From these 44 eyes, initial presenting visual acuity (VA) of 20/200 or better was recorded in 8 eyes (18.1%) and the remaining 36 eyes (81.9%) had VA ranging from 20/400 to light perception. Eleven eyes (25%) underwent IOFB removal and repair within 24 hours after trauma while 33 eyes (75%) had similar procedures done 24 hours or more after trauma. Thirty-one eyes (70%) underwent primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) at the time of removal of posteriorly located IOFBs. Definite positive cultures were obtained from 17 eyes (38.6%). Over a mean follow-up of 24.8 months, 21 eyes (47.7%) had improved VA, 6 eyes (13.6%) maintained presenting VA while 17 eyes (38.7%) had deterioration of their VA, including 10 eyes (22.7%) that were left with no light perception (NLP) vision. After the treatment of endophthalmitis, 20 eyes (45.4%) had VA of 20/200 or better at their last follow-up. Four eyes (12.9%) from the vitrectomy group (31 eyes) and 5 eyes (45.4%) from non-vitrectomy (11 eyes) group had final VA of NLP. Predictive factors for the good visual outcome included good initial presenting VA, early surgical intervention to remove IOFB (within 24 hours), and PPV. Predictors of poor visual outcome included IOFB removal 48 hours or later, posterior location and no PPV for the posteriorly located IOFB. Conclusions Delayed removal of IOFB following trauma may result in a significant increase in the development of clinical endophthalmitis. Other risk factors for poor visual outcome may include poor initial presenting VA, posterior location of IOFB and no vitrectomy at the time of IOFB removal.     

Successful treatment of postoperative fungal endophthalmitis using intravitreal and intracameral voriconazole

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe 3 cases of postoperative fungal endophthalmitis successfully treated with anterior chamber washout, pars plana vitrectomy, and intracameral and intravitreal voriconazole injection. RESULTS: Three (3) patients from a single retina center in India developed culture-proven fungal endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in 1 eye. All patients underwent anterior chamber washout, pars plana vitrectomy, and intracameral and intravitreal voriconazole injections intraoperatively. All cases demonstrated substantial improvement in vision and intraocular inflammation after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of anterior chamber washout, pars plana vitrectomy, and intracameral and intravitreal voriconazole injection is a viable therapeutic option in cases of fungal endophthalmitis.     

Epidemic postsurgical Candida parapsilosis endophthalmitis. Clinical findings and management of 15 consecutive cases

Fifteen cases of postoperative Candida parapsilosis endophthalmitis occurring secondary to a contaminated lot of an irrigating solution were studied. All patients underwent a vitreous tap or diagnostic and therapeutic vitrectomy. Eleven of the 15 specimens were positive for the organism. Fourteen patients were treated with pars plana vitrectomy surgery. All patients were treated with intravitreal amphotericin B and systemic amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine. Two clinical recurrences were successfully treated with intravitreal amphotericin B, removal of the pseudophakos, and oral ketoconazole. The intraocular lens was retained in 11 of the 14 pseudophakic patients. Final visual acuities ranged from 20/25 to no light perception with eight of 15 patients having 20/60 or better visual acuities. Measurable levels of intraocular amphotericin B were found after systemic amphotericin B administration. Two patients with totals of 20 and 30 micrograms of intravitreal amphotericin B over 48 and 96 hours, respectively, had near normal ERGs one year later. Posterior capsulotomy and vitrectomy appear to decrease amphotericin B toxicity and allow sequential intraocular injection of this drug within a short time period.     

Primäre Vitrektomie mit intraokularer Antibiotikaapplikation bei akuter postoperativer Endophthalmitis

PURPOSE: Pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotic application is an established procedure for treating postoperative endophthalmitis. The presented study analyzes our own results with this treatment as well as the role of adjuvant systemic steroid treatment. METHOD: We analyzed the data of 34 consecutive patients with postoperative endophthalmitis from January 2000 to March 2006. Thirty-two patients underwent vitrectomy and intravitreal application of antibiotics, and two patients received intravitreal antibiotics only. All patients received intravitreal dexamethasone and systemic antibiotics, and 12 patients received the systemic treatment with prednisolone. The effect of vitrectomy with respect to final visual acuity and the rate of postoperative complications were analyzed. The vitreous was microbiologically examined. Postoperative follow-up time ranged from 2 weeks to 24 months. RESULTS: Endophthalmitis followed cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation in 30 patients (89%) and followed pars plana vitrectomy in four patients (11%). Positive cultures were obtained in 19 (56%) patients. Visual acuity improved in 31 (91%) patients. At their final examinations, 27 (79%) patients had gained visual acuity of 0.05 or better. CONCLUSIONS: Conclusion: Immediate vitrectomy in combination with intraocular antibiotics and steroid administration resulted in preservation of ambulatory vision in most of the patients. Systemic postoperative therapy with steroids seems to be associated with better final visual acuity.     

Late onset posttraumatic Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis

PURPOSE: To report a case of late onset posttraumatic endophthalmitis secondary to Propionibacterium acnes infection. METHODS: Interventional case report. RESULTS: A 28-year-old man developed endophthalmitis 6 months after a penetrating trauma. The patient underwent pars plana lensectomy and vitrectomy along with injection of intravitreal antibiotics. Anaerobic cultures of the vitreous yielded P. acnes. Seven months after surgery, the eye was quiet with a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/60. CONCLUSIONS: This case emphasizes the importance of considering P acnes when treating patients with late onset posttraumatic endophthalmitis.     

Intravitreal cilia in phakic penetrating eye injury

Background: Intraocular cilia present clinical perplexity due to their radiolucency, the extremely variable ocular response to such cilia, and the inadvisability of using MRI in cases of suspected metallic intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB). Methods: Two cases of intravitreal cilia associated with phakic penetrating eye injury are described where preoperative CT scan revealed no retained IOFB. Results: B-scan ultrasonography detected intravitreal cilia in one patient and raised this suspicion in the other. One patient presented with endophthalmitis unresponsive to intravitreal antibiotics, the other with culture-negative anterior uveitis. Both underwent vitrectomy and removal of cilia. Conclusions: Intravitreal cilia should be considered in penetrating eye injuries even in phakic eyes with no radiological evidence of IOFB, especially if associated with endophthalmitis. B-scan ultrasonography may aid detection of intravitreal cilia and thus alter clinical management.     

Clinical features, management strategies, and visual acuity outcomes of Candida endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical features, management, and visual outcome in patients with Candida endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Microbiology Laboratory database and corresponding medical records were reviewed from 1980 to 2006. RESULTS: Five patients were identified. Endophthalmitis developed 7 to 60 days postoperatively (median, 14 days). Presenting visual acuity was 20/200 to counting fingers and final visual acuity was 20/25 to light perception. Whitish material was noted on the intraocular lens or lens capsule (4 of 5) or within the cataract wound (1 of 5). All patients received intravitreal amphotericin B and more than one pars plana vitrectomy procedure; four received systemic antifungal agents and four underwent intraocular lens removal. CONCLUSIONS: Given whitish material on the intraocular lens, lens capsule, or cataract wound, Candida should be included in the differential diagnosis of early- or delayed-onset endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. Initial pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal and oral antifungal medications may not achieve infection resolution. Intraocular lens explantation may assist in organism eradication.     

Intravitreal pefloxacin therapy in postoperative endophthalmitis

Purpose : To study the efficacy of intravitreal pefloxacin in the management of suspected bacterial endophthalmitis. Methods : Twenty eyes with suspected postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis were given an intravitreal injection of pefloxacin (200 μg in 0.1 mL). If required the injection was repeated after 24 h. The main parameters evaluated were visual acuity, response to intravitreal therapy and any complications due to intravitreal pefloxacin. Results : Fourteen eyes (70%) responded to intravitreal pefloxacin therapy alone, while an additional pars plana vitrectomy was required in six eyes (30%). Nineteen eyes retained a visual acuity of 6/60 or better at 3 months after the initiation of therapy. A retinal detachment developed in one of the eyes which received intravitreal therapy. Conclusions : Intravitreal pefloxacin may be a useful alternative therapy in bacterial endophthalmitis.     

Successful treatment of orthodontic-associated traumatic endophthalmitis

PURPOSE: To report successful management of orthodontic-associated traumatic endophthalmitis. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 17-year-old boy developed endophthalmitis after a penetrating corneal injury produced during removal of an orthodontic wire. Treatment included pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with broad-spectrum intravitreal and systemic antibiotics. RESULTS: Clinical endophthalmitis resolved after PPV with injection of intravitreal vancomycin (1 mg) and ceftazidime (2.25 mg), along with oral ciprofloxacin (750 mg twice daily). Microbiologic cultures of intraocular samples produced Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus viridans, and Lactobacillus species. Visual acuity improved to 20/20. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic-associated endophthalmitis can involve multiple organisms. It can be successfully treated with current treatment modalities, including PPV, intravitreal antibiotics, and systemic antibiotics.     

Endogenous endophthalmitis associated with liver abscess caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Klebsiella pneumoniae</Emphasis>

To report two unusual cases of endogenous endophthalmitis associated with liver abscess caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Retrospective, interventional case series. Two patients, known to have type II diabetes mellitus, presented with sudden visual loss following several days of abdominal pain. Examinations and investigations revealed endogenous endophthalmitis caused by K. pneumoniae. Despite treatment in the form of intravitreal injection of antibiotics in the first patient and pars plana vitrectomy coupled with intravitreal injection of antibiotics in the second patient the final visual outcome was poor in both cases. The possibility of K. pneumoniae endogenous endophthalmitis should be suspected in diabetic patients presenting with intraocular inflammation.     

Pars plana vitrectomy in the management of retained intravitreal lens fragments after cataract surgery

Purpose: To assess the outcome of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for retained lens fragments after cataract surgery. Methods: A retrospective study of all consecutive cases with pars plana vitrectomy performed for retained lens fragment was conducted. Twenty‐seven eyes of 27 patients were included in the study. Results: Twenty‐four (89.9%) eyes received phacoemulsification. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed at the same sitting, or ranged from day 1?70 after cataract surgery. The mean follow up was 31.1 months. Final visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 15 (55.6%) patients. After excluding patients with pre‐existing eye diseases, 68.4% of patients had visual acuity 6/12 or better. Complications after pars plana vitrectomy included glaucoma (22.2%), retinal detachment (11.1%) and surgically induced necrotizing scleritis (3.7%). Conclusion: Ocular complications with poor visual outcome can occur after removal of intravitreal retained lens fragments complicating cataract surgery.     

Endocapsular cellulomonas as a cause of persistent postoperative endophthalmitis

Sequestration of bacteria within the capsular fornices after cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation can cause both acute and chronic inflammation. A case of persistent postoperative endophthalmitis caused by capsular sequestration of Cellulomonas is described. The patient underwent uncomplicated cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation and subsequently developed acute postoperative endophthalmitis. Inflammation persisted despite several vitreous taps and the injection of intravitreal antibiotics. Definitive treatment required pars plana vitrectomy, intraocular lens explantation, capsular bag removal, and intravitreal and parenteral antibiotics. In patients with postoperative endophthalmitis, one must consider atypical organisms as the source and should consider explantation of the intraocular lens with capsular bag removal.     

玻璃体切割联合玻璃体注药治疗眼内炎

对２８例２８眼化脓性眼内炎经平坦部行玻璃体切割联合玻璃体注药、眼内异物摘出,配合全身及局部应用抗生素、皮质类固醇药物或抗真菌药物治疗患者,回顾性分析了玻璃体切割联合玻璃体注药治疗化脓性眼内炎的临床应用价值。结果：随访６～１２月２８例２８眼眼内感染全部控制,２６眼视力有不同程度的提高,２眼眼球萎缩,无１眼眼球摘除。结论：玻璃体切割联合玻璃体注药是治疗化脓性眼内炎最有效方法。     

Suspected Bacterial Endophthalmitis Following Sustained-release Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant: A Case Report

A 58-year-old man admitted to our opthalmology department with the complaint of branch retinal vein occlusion. He was treated with intravitreal Ozurdex in the right eye. Two days after the injection, the patient presented with ocular pain and the visual acuity was hand movement. A diagnosis of endophthalmitis was made. We performed emergent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and the implant was removed from the vitreous cavity using a retinal forceps. A combination of vancomycin 1.0 mg and amikacin 0.4 mg was injected intravitreally. However, because of the blurring in the vitreus one week after the procedure, phacoemulsification and a repeat PPV was performed. Five days after the last procedure the signs and symptoms of endophthalmitis were resolved. Our case demonstrated that endophthalmitis could develop after intravitreal implantation of Ozurdex. Surgical removal of the implant and immediate vitrectomy seems to be a useful treatment option in these cases.     

Visual outcomes following the use of intravitreal steroids in the treatment of postoperative endophthalmitis

OBJECTIVE: To compare visual outcomes between cases of acute postoperative endophthalmitis that did or did not receive intravitreal steroids. DESIGN: Retrospective nonrandomized comparative trial. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-seven patients with postoperative endophthalmitis. INTERVENTION: Thirty-one patients with postoperative endophthalmitis resulting from cataract extraction received both intravitreal antibiotics and steroids, whereas the remaining 26 received only intravitreal antibiotics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Improvement in visual acuity. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the variables that potentially influence a three-line visual acuity improvement. The mean baseline visual acuities of both groups were comparable. The use of intravitreal steroids reduced the probability of developing a three-line improvement in visual acuity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.287; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.072-0.852]). On the basis of logistic regression analysis using our multivariate model, gender, baseline visual acuity, and pars plana vitrectomy were not significantly associated with visual outcome differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received intravitreal steroids had a significantly reduced likelihood of obtaining a three-line improvement in visual acuity. At a minimum our study provides no support for their use and, therefore, steroids may not be efficacious for acute endophthalmitis related to cataract extraction.     

Presumed sterile endophthalmitis following intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report acute postoperative, presumed sterile endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, interventional, multicenter study of patients with acute sterile endophthalmitis following IVTA injection. RESULTS: A total of 922 IVTA injections were performed. Eight eyes of 8 patients with presumed sterile endophthalmitis were identified. The incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.87% (95% confidence interval, 0.38% to 1.70%). Median time to presentation was 1.5 days (range, 1 to 7 days). Median presenting visual acuity was 20/563 (range, 20/80 to light perception). Initial treatment included vitreous tap and injection of antibiotics (n = 4), pars plana vitrectomy and injection of intravitreal antibiotics (n = 2), or systemic treatment alone with oral levofloxacin (n = 2). Six of 6 intraocular cultures were sterile. Median follow-up was 5.9 months (range, 4 to 9 months) with a median visual acuity at last follow-up of 20/75 (range, 20/40 to counting fingers). CONCLUSIONS: Acute presumed sterile endophthalmitis following IVTA injection presents early in the postoperative period. Visual outcomes are generally good.     

Treatment strategies and visual acuity outcomes in chronic postoperative Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE: To report the treatment strategies and visual acuity outcomes of chronic postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: All patients presenting 8 or more weeks after cataract surgery with intraocular inflammation caused by culture-proven P. acnes infection and treated at two institutions from 1974 through 1996 were included. METHODS: Patients underwent three different initial treatment strategies. The study did not have a defined treatment protocol, but all patients received intraocular antibiotics. Patients were not randomly assigned to the various treatment strategies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Final visual acuity and effectiveness of various treatment procedures either as initial or follow-up therapy were assessed. RESULTS: Using the 3 initial strategies, 36 patients were treated: (1) intraocular antibiotic injection alone (IOAB; n = 12); (2) pars plana vitrectomy and IOAB injection (PPV; n = 10); and (3) PPV with subtotal capsulectomy and IOAB injection (PPV-PC; n = 14). The number of patients with recurrent or persistent inflammation after one of the three initial treatment strategies were as follows: (1) IOAB alone, 12 (100%); (2) PPV, 5 (50%); and (3) PPV-PC, 2 (14%). None of the patients that underwent subsequent PPV, total capsular bag removal, IOAB injection, and either intraocular lens (IOL) exchange or removal had persistent or recurrent intraocular inflammation. Overall, final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 18 patients (50%), and a total of 28 patients (78%) retained 20/400 or better vision. The mean follow-up after the last treatment was 2.9 years. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of chronic P. acnes endophthalmitis, initial treatment with IOAB injection alone or vitrectomy without capsulectomy was associated with high rates of recurrent or persistent intraocular inflammation. Pars plana vitrectomy, partial capsulectomy, and IOAB injection without IOL exchange was usually successful on long-term follow-up. In patients with recurrent intraocular inflammation, pars plana vitrectomy, total capsular bag removal, IOAB injection, and IOL exchange or removal was a uniformly successful strategy. In contrast to other types of postoperative endophthalmitis, IOL exchange can be considered in these patients after total capsular bag removal.