Chronic bacterial endophthalmitis in pseudophakia

The present report describes a case of bacterial endophthalmitis which was suppressed with topical and systemic corticosteroids for 3 1/2 months in the belief that the uveitis was a sterile reaction. Subsequent pars plana vitrectomy and microbiological work-up disclosed an infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci. The patient was treated with intraocular and systemic antibiotics, and the inflammation settled rapidly. It is concluded that infectious endophthalmitis should be suspected after intraocular surgery when the intraocular inflammation is unexpectedly exaggerated. A diagnosis of sterile uveitis should be made only after careful evaluation which includes a proper microbiological work-up.