Pars Plana Vitrectomy Using 0.025% Povidone-Iodine Irrigation for Acute Endophthalmitis: A Retrospective Case-Control...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation
• Infectious Disease Management

Background:

• Acute endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular infection requiring prompt treatment.
• Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is a standard surgical approach for endophthalmitis.
• The choice of intraocular irrigation solution during PPV may impact outcomes and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare visual and anatomical outcomes of acute endophthalmitis patients treated with PPV using 0.025% povidone-iodine (PI) versus standard balanced salt solution (BSS) irrigation.
• To evaluate the safety profile of intraocular PI in this context.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case-control study involving 92 patients with acute endophthalmitis.
• Patients underwent PPV with either 0.025% PI irrigation (study group) or BSS irrigation (control group).
• Outcomes assessed included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), infection resolution, recurrence, and ocular toxicity.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in short-term clinical resolution or BCVA were observed between the PI and BSS groups.
• At 3 months, mean BCVA was significantly better in the PI group (logMAR 1.096) compared to the BSS group (logMAR 1.70).
• Fewer postoperative findings potentially associated with ocular toxicity were noted in the PI group (20.8%) versus the BSS group (70.5%).

Conclusions:

• 0.025% PI irrigation during PPV for acute endophthalmitis did not result in worse short-term visual or anatomical outcomes compared to BSS.
• Intraocular PI was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative adverse findings suggestive of ocular toxicity.
• Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm the safety and efficacy of intraocular PI in endophthalmitis management.