Bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis in a patient with hemoglobin SC disease

Bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis in the setting of pneumococcal bacteremia was diagnosed in a woman with hemoglobin SC disease who presented with decreased vision, increased redness, burning pain, and photophobia. All gram stains and cultures remained negative, and the exact source of her bacteremia was not clear. Nonetheless, early diagnosis and prompt treatment were vital to avoiding a visually devastating outcome.

Aggressive treatment with intravitreal and systemic antibiotics, with or without pars plana vitrectomy, was successful in restoring final visual acuity.