Chronic Nocardia asteroides endophthalmitis after extracapsular cataract extraction

Abstract

A 65-year-old man underwent an uncomplicated extracapsular cataract extraction with placement of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. The patient developed delayed-onset chronic endophthalmitis caused by Nocardia asteroides. This was confirmed on multiple intraocular cultures, as well as histopathologic examination of the lens capsular bag. The patient was treated with periocular, intravitreal, and systemic antibiotic treatment, combined with intraocular lens removal, total capsulectomy, and three vitrectomies in an attempt to eradicate the organism and calm the eye. The patient went on to develop widespread endophthalmitis that required enucleation of the infected globe. To our knowledge, this is the first case of delayed-onset chronic endophthalmitis caused by N asteroides after extracapsular cataract extraction with a posterior chamber intraocular lens.