High dose cefuroxime causing retinal toxicity in a patient undergoing trabeculectomy

To present a case of severe retinal toxicity secondary to high dose intracameral cefuroxime administered during trabeculectomy glaucoma surgery. We describe the clinical features and management, and describe serial multimodal imaging and electrophysiological findings. Intracameral cefuroxime (ICC) and subconjunctival cefuroxime (SCC) are routinely administered during ocular surgeries to prevent postoperative endophthalmitis. Cefuroxime toxicity with both standard (1mg/0.1mL) and high doses of ICC (2-100mg) and SCC (31.25mg) have been reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cefuroxime retinal toxicity in trabeculectomy surgery, which is of particular significance because of the possible differences in pharmacokinetics within the eye.

A 69-year-old male with primary open-angle glaucoma, underwent right trabeculectomy, augmented with mitomycin C (0.2mg/mL). The patient inadvertently received cefuroxime 12.5mg/0.1mL as an intracameral rather than a subconjunctival injection. Within 4 hours, the error was discovered and the patient underwent immediate anterior chamber (AC) washout. His right best-corrected visual acuity was hand movements, and he rapidly developed uveitis including AC cells and moderate vitritis and haze. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated serous macular detachment, characteristic schisis-like changes in the outer nuclear layer and ellipsoid zone disruption. Multi-focal electroretinograms (ERG) identified deficits undetected by full-field ERG. He was successfully managed with intensive local topical corticosteroid, non-steroidal therapy and peri-ocular corticosteroid injection.

As ICC and SCC are routinely used in intra-ocular surgery to prevent endophthalmitis, ophthalmologists need to be aware of this potential complication and consider this in patients with unexplained reduced vision post-operatively. Theatre teams need to be vigilant about potential dilution and administration errors to ensure that the correct concentration and volume of cefuroxime is given via the correct route. We highlight the risks of high dose intracameral injection, including uveitis and retinal toxicity, and the utility of serial OCT, and full-field and multi-focal ERGs in this condition. We report a favourable outcome with significant and rapid improvement in retinal structure and function observed during follow-up. A literature review of the condition is presented.