[Nd-YAG capsulotomy and intravitreal antibiotics as treatment of chronic endophthalmitis]

Abstract

Purpose: To study the effectiveness of Yag capsulotomy, therapeutic vitreal aspiration and intravitreal injection of antibiotics combination on the treatment of chronic postoperative endophthalmitis.

Methods: Six patients with symptoms of refractory postoperative endophthalmitis after extracapsular cataract extraction, with an intraocular lens were treated following a protocol that included: YAG capsulotomy, vitreal aspiration and intravitreal injection of antibiotics.

Results: In four cases -66%- the micro-organism was isolated -three cases of coagulase- negative staphylococci and one case Corynebacterium spp. In all the cases the inflammatory process decreased, and a noticeable improvement of visual acuity was achieved. No recurrent cases were observed (two patients died before the end of the study).

Conclusions: As way of conclusion we can state that the initial capsulotomy allows the destruction of the infection reservoir in order to eradicate the agent. This endophthalmitis therapeutic alternative is effective, easy and reliable for the ophthalmologist.