Incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in the Netherlands: several surgical techniques compared

In order to investigate the incidence of endophthalmitis following various types of cataract surgery, we sent a questionnaire to the members of the Dutch Intraocular Implant Club (NIOIC). Retrospectively, information was obtained about the number of performed cataract extractions, the techniques used, and the number of patients with postoperative endophthalmitis. To estimate bias by underreporting, we calculated the nationwide incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in the same period of time. The response rate to the questionnaire was 51.2%. In the reporting group the incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.11%. This incidence was comparable with the calculated nationwide incidence (0.15%). Comparison between the incidences after phacoemulsification (0.10%) and after other techniques (0.16%) showed no significant difference in the questionnaire group. A complicated cataract extraction preceded 12 out of the 38 reported cases with endophthalmitis. In conclusion, the incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in the Netherlands is comparable with the incidence reported in literature. The occurrence of complications during surgery rather than the technique used affects on the development of endophthalmitis.