Exogenous Nocardia asteroides endophthalmitis following cataract surgery

We present a case of Nocardia asteroides endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. It is the second to be reported and the first in which vision has been preserved. Symptoms commenced 5 days after surgery and there followed a chronic relapsing anterior uveitis which lasted for 4 months. Nocardia asteroides was finally cultured from an aqueous aspirate and a combination of specific antimicrobial treatment and surgery resulted in a satisfactory visual outcome. Exogenous nocardial intraocular infection is rare and must be distinguished from fungal infection as the organism is resistant to antifungal agents.