Translimbal approach for intravitreal injection in endophthalmitis after phacoemulsification.

We describe a corneal limbal technique of intravitreal injection for use in cases in which it is difficult to confirm the position of the needle. Using this translimbal approach, the needle's position is easily identified and the intravitreal injection can be given using topical anesthesia. This technique is an option in eyes with a cloudy cornea or a large iridectomy.     

Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis after intracapsular cataract extraction.

The authors report a case of Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis after intracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of an anterior chamber intraocular lens. The patient's chronic inflammation persisted for 5 years after cataract surgery despite treatment with pars plana vitrectomy, intraocular lens removal, topical and oral steroids, and topical fortified antibiotics. Fluctuations in the inflammation were paralleled by changes in the size and appearance of a white plaque on the posterior corneal surface. Anterior chamber tap cultures were positive for P. acnes after 8 days of incubation under anaerobic conditions. The inflammation was not controlled until the posterior corneal plaque, which was the presumed nidus of the chronic infection, was removed and the patient was treated with intravitreal and oral antibiotics.     

Acute bacterial endophthalmitis after cataract extraction

In order to evaluate the results, we reviewed all 34 patients treated in our hospital for endophthalmitis after cataract surgery between January 1994 and January 1998. After cultures were taken, all patients received intraocular, subconjunctival and topical vancomycin and ceftazidime. Additionally, twelve patients received the same antibiotics systemically. Besides steroids were administered in all patients. In 79% of the patients the bacterial culture was positive. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated microorganism (48%). After treatment a visual acuity of 0.1 or more was achieved in 62% of the patients. The best final results were achieved in the patients with an initial visual acuity of 1/300 or more, and in the patients from whom a coagulase negative Staphylococcus was isolated.     

Histoplasma capsulatum endophthalmitis after cataract extraction

A 60-year-old white man from an area endemic for Histoplasma capsulatum presented with a vitreous wick, hypopyon iritis, and dense vitreitis 2 months after removal of an anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) for chronic iritis. A diagnostic vitrectomy was performed and H. capsulatum was cultured and identified 2 weeks later. Despite intravitreal and intravenous amphotericin as well as repeat vitrectomies, the inflammation worsened and the eye was removed. Results of histopathologic examination showed Histoplasma organisms along the vitreous wick, over the surface of the iris and ciliary body, and over the retina. No organisms were found in the choroid. Dalen-Fuchs-type nodules similar to those of sarcoid also were noted, but there was no evidence of granulomatous inflammation in the uvea. Because of his unilateral disease with Histoplasma in the vitreous wick, negative serology, and an absence of systemic infection, the authors believe that this patient had a previously unreported form of ocular Histoplasma, exogenous postoperative Histoplasma endophthalmitis.     

Intraocular pressure after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide

AIM: To investigate the intraocular pressure (IOP) response after intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide as treatment of intraocular neovascular or oedematous diseases. METHODS: The prospective consecutive non-comparative interventional case series study included 71 patients (75 eyes) with progressive exudative age related macular degeneration (n = 64 eyes) or diffuse diabetic macular oedema (n = 11 eyes), who received an intravitreal injection of 25 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Mean follow up time was 6.86 (SD 2.52) months (range 3.1-14.47 months). RESULTS: IOP increased significantly (p<0.001) from 15.43 (3.26) mm Hg preoperatively to a mean maximum of 23.38 (8.37) mm Hg (range 13-64 mm Hg) postoperatively. An IOP rise to values higher than 21 mm Hg was observed in 39 (52%) eyes. Elevation of IOP occurred about 2 months after the injection. Preoperative predictive factor for the rise in IOP was younger age (p=0.013). It was statistically independent of refractive error, presence of diabetes mellitus, and indication for the injection. In all but one eye, IOP could be lowered to the normal range with topical medication, without development of glaucomatous optic nerve head changes. In the eyes with an elevation of IOP, IOP normalised about 6 months after the injection, without further medication. Eyes undergoing repeatedly intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide showed only an elevation of IOP, if after the first injection a rise of IOP had occurred. CONCLUSIONS: After intravitreal injections of 25 mg of triamcinolone acetonide, an IOP elevation can develop in about 50% of eyes, starting about 1-2 months after the injection. In the vast majority, IOP can be normalised by topical medication, and returns to normal values without further medication about 6 months after the injection.     

Intraocular pressure elevation after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection

PURPOSE: This study investigated firstly the change of intraocular pressure (IOP) after injection of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for the treatment of macular edema and secondly the factors that influence these changes. METHODS: A prospective, non-comparative study was performed in 60 patients at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital from October 2003 to September 2004. All the patients received 4-mg IVTA injection. RESULTS: Mean IOP was elevated from the day after injection and peaked at 20.5 mmHg after 2 months (p=0.000). Twenty-six eyes (43.3%) showed significant IOP elevation. IOP was not controlled despite full glaucoma medication in 7 (11.7%) eyes. Two eyes underwent filtering surgery. Younger age was a statistically significant predictive factor for IOP elevation (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, patients who needed filtering surgery developed an IOP spike within one week after the injection. Therefore, clinicians should consider checking IOP at the end of the first week. Furthermore, greater cautions is mandatory with relatively younger patients.     

A case of sterile endophthalmitis after repeated intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe a case of sterile endophthalmitis after repeated intravitreal bevacizumab injections for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks. METHODS: This study was done as a case report. RESULTS: A 57-year-old man who received a third injection of intravitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization owing to angioid streaks developed sterile endophthalmitis. The patient's condition improved after hourly topical steroid and antibiotic drops without a sequele. CONCLUSIONS: The intravitreal injection of bevacizumab has the potential for the development of sterile endophthalmitis. The patients should be warned against this possible adverse reaction, especially after repeated injections.     

Intraocular availability of triamcinolone acetonide after intravitreal injection

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the intraocular concentration of triamcinolone acetonide after intravitreal injection. METHODS: The prospective clinical interventional case series study included 17 patients who had received a 20 to 25-mg intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide as treatment for exudative age-related macular degeneration, diffuse diabetic macular edema, or retinal vein occlusions. During a secondary intraocular surgery taking place 4.1 weeks to 25.7 months after the intravitreal injection, aqueous humor samples were obtained. None of the eyes were vitrectomized. RESULTS: In the aqueous humor samples, triamcinolone acetonide was in low, but measurable, concentrations detected up to 1.5 years after the intravitreal injection. Concentrations found in samples obtained during the first 6 months, or 7 to 12 months, respectively, after the injection ranged between 3.0 microg/l and 436 microg/l, and between 0.0 microg/l and 11.2 microg/l, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: After injection of triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone can be present in measurable concentrations up to 1.5 years after the application.     

玻璃体内注药术后眼内炎的危险因素及预防

近年来玻璃体内药物注射的发展非常迅速,应用范围不断扩大,尤其是玻璃体内注射抗血管内皮生长因子（vascularendothelialgrowthfactor,VEGF）制剂已成为眼科最常用的治疗方法之一。因此更有必要认真审视其并发症,尤其是眼内炎这一玻璃体内注射最严重的并发症。研究显示玻璃体内注射抗VEGF制剂后眼内炎发生率约0．02％～0．09％。危险因素包括注射前危险因素（活动性外眼感染、按压眼睑、较粗注射针头、青光眼、糖尿病等系统性疾病）,注射中危险因素（飞沫传播、无菌操作不严格）和注射后危险因素（多次注射）等。围手术期使用抗生素预防的效果尚无定论。     

静脉注射后环丙沙星在眼内炎及眼球穿通伤患者眼内的药物水平

目的 研究静脉注射后环丙沙星在眼内炎及眼球穿通伤患者眼内的药物水平.方法 老年性白内障对照组25例25眼、眼球穿通伤组21例21眼、眼内炎组12例12眼分别在白内障手术、玻璃体切割手术前1 h静脉注射环丙沙星,术中取房水或(和)玻璃体,双缩脲法测定房水蛋白含量,反向高效液相色谱法测定房水及玻璃体环丙沙星的浓度.结果 老年性白内障对照组、眼球穿通伤组及眼内炎组房水蛋白含量分别为(0.09±0.05)g·L-1、(2.31±1.71)g·L-1和(7.78±5.34)g·L-1,3组间比较差异均有显著统计学意义(P均<0.01);3组房水环丙沙星浓度分别为(0.18±0.07)mg·L-1、(0.19±0.08)mg·L-1和(0.52±0.18)mg·L-1,眼内炎组明显高于其他2组(P均<0.01),其他2组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);玻璃体环丙沙星浓度眼内炎组为(0.50±0.38)mg·L-1,较眼球穿通伤组的(0.06±0.03)mg·L-1高(P均<0.01);眼内炎组房水和玻璃体中环丙沙星浓度与房水蛋白含量呈正相关(r=0.889和rs=0.841,P均<0.05).结论 眼内炎患者血-眼屏障通透性增高,静脉注射环丙沙星眼内渗透性增加,房水及玻璃体药物浓度可达大部分眼内致病菌最小抑菌浓度,可作为细菌性眼内炎治疗性用药.     

Alcaligenes xylosoxidans endophthalmitis 8 months after cataract extraction

PURPOSE: To report a case of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans endophthalmitis and to increase awareness of its potential as an intraocular pathogen. METHODS: An 80-year-old woman in good general health developed A. xylosoxidans endophthalmitis 8 months after an uncomplicated cataract extraction performed at another institution. Eventually, vitrectomy with removal of the intraocular lens and capsule was performed because of recurrent disease after intravitreal antibiotic injections. RESULTS: Microbiologic examination of the vitreous biopsies and capsule disclosed A. xylosoxidans, a motile, gram-negative rod resistant to many antibiotics. CONCLUSION: A. xylosoxidans should be considered as a cause of low-grade endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.     

白内障摘除、人工晶体植入术后慢性眼内炎

探讨白内障摘除,人工晶体植入术后慢性眼内炎的病因,临床特点及治疗效果,方法：４例白内障摘除、人工晶体植入术后慢性眼内炎分别接受了玻璃体切除、人工晶体取出等治疗,并作微生物学检查。结果：术３例保存有用视力,１例眼球萎缩;１例自结膜囊培养出丙酸杆菌,３例微生物培养均为阴性。     

Outbreak of Empedobacter brevis endophthalmitis after cataract extraction

BACKGROUND: We present a series of patients who were operated upon on the same day by the same surgeon. All of those patients developed postoperative endophthalmitis due to Empedobacter brevis - a bacterium hitherto unknown in ophthalmologic literature. METHODS: Twelve patients were referred because of endophthalmitis after cataract extraction. The patients' files were studied and the intraoperative and postoperative outcome was analysed. RESULTS: Twelve patients (five male, seven female, mean age 75 years) presented 1-6 days after uncomplicated cataract extraction. Although some suffered from medical or ophthalmological diseases there was no association with the severity of the endophthalmitis. Eleven patients required vitrectomy, seven as primary procedure, one primary with extraction of the lens and three secondary after anterior chamber lavage and intravitreal antibiotics. In three cases vitrectomy had to be repeated together with extraction of the intraocular lens. There were two postoperative retinal detachments that required silicon oil and in one case an encircling band. Mean visual acuity rose from 0.02 to 0.47 by 9 months after operation. Empedobacter brevis was found in the anterior chamber and in the vitreous in all except one patient. CONCLUSION: In high-volume cataract surgery endemic endophthalmitis is always possible. Sources of infection may be anything from the lens to the sterilisation process, the latter being the primary suspect in our series. Prompt, adequate and (if necessary) aggressive treatment by vitreous surgery may lead to favourable results.