Clinical features of endophthalmitis after vitreoretinal surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the rate, clinical features, treatment outcomes and prognosis of postvitrectomy endophthalmitis.

Methods: Patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous opacity or complicated retinal detachment during 1988 to 2000 were collected. Vitrectomies for recent penetrating trauma or endophthalmitis were excluded. Patients suffered from clinical or culture-proven postvitrectomy endophthalmitis were selected.

Results: Postvitrectomy endophthalmitis happened to 3 to 7,000 patients, resulting in an overall frequency of 0.04%. Enhanced systemic and local antibiotics were used as soon as diagnosis was made. Endophthamitis were controlled within 6 days, 8 days and 10 days, respectively. Final visual acuities were light perception in 2 patients and 0.02 in 1 patient.

Conclusion: Postvitrectomy endophthalmitis was rare, but it deteriorate the visual acuity. Both ophthalmologist and patients should pay high attention to it.