Vitrectomy for endophthalmitis: 5-year study of outcomes and complications

To analyse the complications and outcomes of vitrectomy surgery for endophthalmitis.

This was a retrospective case series. All cases that underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy surgery for endophthalmitis at a tertiary centre between 1 February 2013 and 1 February 2018 were included. Main outcome measures were as follows: visual acuity (VA) at final visit and post-vitrectomy complications.

33 patients were included in the study with 20 men and 13 women, average age 63 years. Main post-surgical causes for endophthalmitis included phacoemulsification (n=9), trabeculectomy (n=5), intravitreal injection (n=5), corneal graft (n=4), vitreoretinal surgery (n=3) and endogenous endophthalmitis (n=6). Average follow-up was 18 months (SD 14). 21/33 (64%) patients had baseline perception of light VA. Analysis of exogenous endophthalmitis cases only demonstrated: mean LogMAR VA improved significantly from 2.68 to 1.66 (p=0.001). At final follow-up, 12% had VA of 6/12 or better, and 28% had VA of 6/36 or better. Vitrectomy within 7 days resulted in improved final VA outcomes (1.49 vs 2.16 LogMAR, p=0.032). Complications included retinal detachment (24.2%), macular hole (3%), hypotony (6%), suprachoroidal haemorrhage (3%) and enucleation/evisceration (6%).

Vitrectomy for endophthalmitis leads to VA gains in some cases. Surgical outcomes may be improved with early vitrectomy performed within 7 days of the initial event for exogenous endophthalmitis. Patients should be advised of the potential risk of severe complications with/and without surgery.