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Posttraumatic endophthalmitis. Causative organisms, treatment, and prevention
D V Alfaro1, D Roth, P E Liggett
1Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799.
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Prompt diagnosis and early antibiotic treatment are crucial for managing posttraumatic endophthalmitis, a severe eye infection. Pars plana vitrectomy may improve visual outcomes in select cases of this vision-threatening condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Posttraumatic endophthalmitis is a rare but serious complication of penetrating eye injuries.
- It can lead to significant vision loss in potentially salvageable eyes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively evaluate 36 cases of posttraumatic endophthalmitis.
- To identify factors associated with visual loss and determine treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 36 patients with posttraumatic endophthalmitis.
- Treatment included intravenous and intraocular antibiotics.
- Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in 15 (41.7%) cases.
Main Results:
- The study included patients aged 18 months to 83 years, with a majority being male (83%).
- Common injury types included corneoscleral/scleral lacerations (36.1%) and corneal lacerations (25%).
- Positive cultures were found in 58.3% of cases, with Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Bacillus species being common isolates. Visual acuity outcomes varied, with 27.8% of eyes lost to enucleation or phthisis bulbi.
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with systemic and intraocular antibiotics are vital for successful management.
- Pars plana vitrectomy, when used selectively, was associated with favorable visual outcomes.