Clinical features of endophthalmitis after vitreoretinal surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the rate, clinical features, treatment outcomes and prognosis of postvitrectomy endophthalmitis.


METHODS
Patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous opacity or complicated retinal detachment during 1988 to 2000 were collected. Vitrectomies for recent penetrating trauma or endophthalmitis were excluded. Patients suffered from clinical or culture-proven postvitrectomy endophthalmitis were selected.


RESULTS
Postvitrectomy endophthalmitis happened to 3 to 7,000 patients, resulting in an overall frequency of 0.04%. Enhanced systemic and local antibiotics were used as soon as diagnosis was made. Endophthamitis were controlled within 6 days, 8 days and 10 days, respectively. Final visual acuities were light perception in 2 patients and 0.02 in 1 patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Postvitrectomy endophthalmitis was rare, but it deteriorate the visual acuity. Both ophthalmologist and patients should pay high attention to it.
Zhang
Shaochong
S
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 54 Xianlie Nan Road, Guangzhou, China, Post Code: 510060. chongab@hotmail.com
Ding
Xiaoyan
X
Hu
Jie
J
Gao
Rulong
R
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000601:surgery