Septic choroidal effusion after scleral buckling operation

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Scleral buckling is a common surgical procedure for retinal detachment.
• Diabetic patients may have increased susceptibility to post-operative complications.

Observation:

• A case of suppurative choroidal effusion occurred post-scleral buckling in a diabetic patient.
• Staphylococcus epidermidis was identified in suprachoroidal fluid cultures.
• No infection of scleral implant or scleral abscess was noted.

Findings:

• Intensive antibiotic and corticosteroid therapy (systemic, periocular, topical) failed to preserve vision.
• The likely route of infection was the scleral perforation site used for subretinal fluid drainage.

Implications:

• Suppurative choroidal effusion is a rare but severe complication following scleral buckling.
• Prompt recognition and management are crucial, though outcomes can be poor.
• The scleral perforation site may represent a potential pathway for microbial entry.