Unmasking the mask: the role of personal protective equipment for ophthalmologists caring for asymptomatic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

AIM: To identify the clinical features and treatment outcomes of endogenous Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis and investigate prognostic factors of poor visual outcome. METHODS: The clinical records of all patients diagnosed with endogenous Klebsiella endophthalmitis between January 2007 to December 2018 in Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China were retrospectively reviewed. Thorough ophthalmological examination findings were recorded in the case note, including visual acuity testing, slit-lamp examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy and B-scan ultrasonography if media opacity precluded fundus viewing. RESULTS: A total of 18 eyes in 14 patients were identified. Bilateral involvement was noted in 4 patients (28.6%). Hepatobiliary sepsis was the source in 9 patients (64.3%). Culture of intraocular fluid was positive in 5 out of 18 eyes (27.8%). Mortality was noted in 2 patients (14.3%). Mean final visual acuity was 20/1500. Six out of 16 eyes had total loss of sight (37.5%) and 3 eyes required evisceration (18.8%). Multivariate linear regression revealed poor presenting visual acuity (P=0.031) and lack of fundus view due to vitritis (P=0.02) as prognostic factors of poor visual outcome. CONCLUSION: Visual outcome of endogenous Klebsiella endophthalmitis is poor. Poor presenting visual acuity and lack of fundus view predict poor visual outcome. High index of suspicion for endophthalmitis is important in Klebsiella sepsis patients with complaints of ocular symptoms. Ophthalmological screening is recommended in non-communicable patients with Klebsiella sepsis.