[Traumatic endophthalmitis--terapeutical indications and results]

The purpose of our study is to analyze the outcome of traumatic endophthalmitis, as revealed by our own experience.

We conducted a clinical retrospective study including all the consecutive cases with traumatic endophthalmitis that have been hospitalized in the University Ophthalmology Department from Cluj-Napoca (Romania), for a 28 months period of time (September the 1st 2007 - December the 31st 2009).

The overall incidence of traumatic endophthalmitis has been 4.76% (5 out of 105 open globe injuries). The presence of an Intra Ocular Foreign Body has been associated with the highest risk of endophthalmitis (8%), followed by the penetrating ocular injuries (6.52%). We performed posterior vitrectomy combined with intravitreal antibiotic and steroid injections in 4 of the 5 traumatic endophthalmities (80%). Injection alone of the above mentioned drugs has been indicated in one early traumatic endophthalmitis (20%), with immediate positive response and the complete recovery of the visual acuity. The technical features of the posterior vitrectomy in the infected eyes are discussed, in comparison with the other clinical conditions in which it is indicated. Our results prove the achievement of visual acuities better than 20/40 in 80% of the post-traumatic endophthalmitis eyes. The failure in one case is explained mainly by the delayed vitrectomy (48 hours from the debut), but also by the circumstances of trauma (soil contamination, in a rural setting).

Immediate action in traumatic endophthalmitis is crucial for the final visual prognosis.