[Toward a rational strategy in the treatment of postoperative bacterial endophthalmia]

18 cases of bacterial endophthalmitis are reported. From bacteriological, epidemiological, pharmacokinetic data, we can propose a management of infectious endophthalmitis based on the two following rules: systematic intraocular fluid aspiration, on emergency, for stained smears (as real bacteriological extemporaneous investigations) and cultures; initial wide spectrum antibiotherapy with a quick adaptation to gram stain and culture identification. The antibiotics are selected according to their intraocular penetration, safety and spectrum. The intraocular bactericidal concentration requires the association of systemic, peri-ocular, and intraocular antibiotherapy, before the settlement of irreversible retinal lesions. By vitrectomy, the infected vitreous may be cleared, and intraocular drugs diffuse more easily.