Endogenous Bacillus cereus panophthalmitis

Over the past seven years we have treated three cases of drug abusers in whom endogenous Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis rapidly progressed to panophthalmitis. Ocular features of infection with this organism include severe pain, chemosis, proptosis, corneal infiltration and ring abscess, subretinal exudation, retinal hemorrhages, and perivasculitis. The process becomes fulminant in an explosive manner and may be accompanied by fever and leukocytosis. Ophthalmologists should be cognizant of the apparent susceptibility of drug abusers to Bacillus cereus infections and should consider this organism in any severe, rapidly evolving intraocular infectious process.