Pathological findings in poststrabismus surgery endophthalmitis

Bacterial entry into the vitreous cavity via inadvertent scleral perforation is one postulated mechanism for poststrabismus surgery endophthalmitis. In a review of 746 cases, we identified 2 pediatric enucleation specimens related to complications of strabismus surgery. In both cases, the patients developed postoperative endophthalmitis and no light perception vision, and the eyes were enucleated when they became phthisical or painful. In both submitted cases, pathology showed a thick band of scar tissue emanating focally from the sclera into the vitreous. Although no needle tracts were visualized, pathological findings were consistent with scleral perforation.