Early Vitrectomy in Endophthalmitis: Visual Outcomes and Complication Rates

This study examined visual outcomes and complication rates after early pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in eyes with endophthalmitis.

The study was designed as a single-center, retrospective, observational database study. A total of 92 eyes treated with early PPV for endophthalmitis at the University Hospital Zurich between 2006 and 2016 were included. Endophthalmitis cases following cataract surgery (CAT, n = 44), intravitreal injection (IVI, n = 12), trabeculectomy (TRAB, n = 6), and Others (e.g., trauma or endogenous, n = 30) were assessed. Visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) from prior to endophthalmitis to 12 months after PPV were analyzed. Secondary outcomes included complications following the procedure.

CAT and IVI groups showed good visual outcomes. Final VA in CAT and IVI groups was not statistically different to prior to endophthalmitis (CAT p = 0.840, IVI p = 0.933). In the CAT group, 78.9% of eyes with a starting VA of > light perception achieved ≥ 20/40 final VA. The highest rate of patients with at least one complication was observed in TRAB (100%), followed by Others (63.3%), IVI (50.0%), and CAT groups (40.9%).

Early PPV may be beneficial in endophthalmitis following cataract surgery and intravitreal injection, regardless of initial VA.