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Endophthalmitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Charles W G Eifrig1, Ingrid U Scott, Harry W Flynn
1Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33101, USA.
Ophthalmology
|September 18, 2003
Summary
Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis leads to poor visual outcomes, with most cases resulting in no light perception or enucleation, even with prompt antibiotic treatment. This study highlights the severe consequences of this infection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular infection that can lead to vision loss.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause devastating endophthalmitis, particularly postoperatively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of endophthalmitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- To identify risk factors and prognostic indicators for P. aeruginosa endophthalmitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, noncomparative case series of 28 patients treated for P. aeruginosa endophthalmitis between 1987 and 2001.
- Data collected included clinical settings, treatment modalities, and visual acuity outcomes.
- Main outcome measures were final visual acuity and rates of enucleation or evisceration.
Main Results:
- The most common causes were cataract surgery (9 eyes) and corneal ulcers (7 eyes).
- Despite prompt treatment with intravitreal antibiotics (to which the organism was sensitive in most cases), 68% of patients had no light perception final visual acuity.
- 64% of eyes underwent evisceration or enucleation.
Conclusions:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis is associated with extremely poor visual outcomes.
- Prompt treatment with intravitreal antibiotics and dexamethasone, along with pars plana vitrectomy, did not prevent severe vision loss or the need for globe removal in most cases.