CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND VISUAL OUTCOMES IN ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER KERATOPROSTHESIS IMPLANTATION

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Boston keratoprosthesis implantation is a complex procedure.
• Endophthalmitis is a serious intraocular infection that can lead to vision loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the presentation, microbiology, management, and prognosis of endophthalmitis following Boston keratoprosthesis implantation.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case series was conducted.
• Data from 7 patients with endophthalmitis after keratoprosthesis implantation between 2009 and 2020 were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 5% of keratoprosthesis eyes developed endophthalmitis.
• Most cases presented with decreased visual acuity and without pain.
• Streptococcus intermedius and Mycobacterium abscessus were identified in two cases.
• Visual acuity at 6 months improved significantly compared to presentation but was correlated with pre-endophthalmitis visual acuity.

Conclusions:

• Endophthalmitis after Boston keratoprosthesis can be painless.
• Visual acuity prognosis is linked to pre-infection vision.
• Consider endophthalmitis in differential diagnosis for intraocular inflammation post-keratoprosthesis, even with negative Seidel test.