INFECTIOUS KERATITIS-ASSOCIATED ENDOPHTHALMITIS: A 14-Year Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Infectious keratitis is a significant cause of visual impairment.
• Endophthalmitis, an intraocular infection, can arise secondary to infectious keratitis.
• Understanding the characteristics and outcomes of this complication is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the demographics, clinical features, management strategies, and visual outcomes for eyes experiencing endophthalmitis secondary to infectious keratitis.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients treated for infectious keratitis-associated endophthalmitis from 2001 to 2014.
• Data collected included patient demographics, systemic conditions, ocular history, causative agents, treatments, and visual acuities.

Main Results:

• Thirty-eight cases were analyzed, with a mean age of 66.2 years; 57.9% had systemic conditions, and 60.5% had prior intraocular surgery.
• Gram-positive bacteria were the most common identified cause (36.9%).
• Fifty percent of cases presented with no light perception and underwent enucleation; the remaining eyes received intravitreal antibiotics, with some undergoing vitrectomy or corneal transplantation, leading to generally poor final visual acuity.

Conclusions:

• Infectious keratitis-associated endophthalmitis is associated with a high prevalence of systemic comorbidities and prior intraocular surgeries.
• The visual prognosis for these cases is generally poor, highlighting the need for prompt diagnosis and aggressive management.