Endogenous Bacterial Endophthalmitis: A Five-Year Retrospective Review at a Tertiary Care Academic Center

Abstract

Purpose: To better characterize the demographics and outcomes of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis (EBE).

Methods: Retrospective observational case series of 49 eyes of 41 patients with EBE evaluated at a single academic center.

Results: Gram stain (p = .395), symptom duration prior to treatment (p = .483), and number of intravitreal antimicrobial injections (p = .421) did not correlate with mean change in VA. There was no significant difference between mean LogMAR VA at initial evaluation (1.7 ± 0.9) and last available follow up (1.4 ± 1.1, p = .15). Patients with bilateral EBE had 7.25 times greater odds of having cancer (95% CI 1.28, 41.14; p = .025).

Conclusion: EBE in a North American population showed poor visual recovery despite treatment. It was most commonly due to gram-positive bacteria with the most common infectious source being endocarditis. Malignancy should be considered in patients with bilateral EBE.

Keywords: Endogenous; North America; bacterial endophthalmitis; endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis; endophthalmitis.