[Risk of infection after cataract surgery with intraocular implant]

A personal series of 10 patients with post surgical bacterial endophthalmitis is reviewed. Clinical signs, risk factors and diagnostic modalities are analysed and compared to other reports in literature. The role of intraocular lens is discussed. While it does not seem to be a risk factor in acute endophthalmitis, it plays a major role in chronic bacterial endophthalmitis. Endophthalmitis remains a rare but serious complication after cataract surgery and prevention modalities, especially using prophylactic antibiotherapy, have still to be evaluated.