Endophthalmitis following combined cataract extraction and placement of an iStent trabecular bypass device

To report a case of post-operative endophthalmitis following combined cataract extraction and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery with placement of the iStent drainage device.

An 87-year-old woman with a nuclear sclerotic cataract and primary open angle glaucoma underwent elective phacoemulsification cataract extraction with iStent placement. Surgery was complicated only by the inability to properly place the second iStent despite several attempts. At 4 days post-operatively she was diagnosed with endophthalmitis. Despite the prompt intravitreal injections of broad spectrum antibiotics, she lost all perception of light. Cultures of anterior chamber aspirates failed to identify a causative organism.

In what we believe to be the first report of endophthalmitis associated with placement of the iStent, complete loss of vision occurred. Surgeons need to be aware that iStent placement may be complicated by severe endophthalmitis.