Septic choroidal effusion after scleral buckling operation

We treated a case of suppurative choroidal effusion occurring after a scleral buckling procedure in a diabetic patient. Staphylococcus epidermidis was isolated from culture of the suprachoroidal fluid, but cultures of the vitreous fluid and anterior chamber aspirate yielded no growth. There was no associated infection of the scleral implant material and no formation of scleral abscess. Despite intensive systemic, periocular, and topical therapy with antibiotics and corticosteroids, vision could not be salvaged. We suspect the route of infection was through the scleral perforation site for drainage of subretinal fluid.