Management of endophthalmitis with retained intraocular foreign body.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of primary injection of intravitreal antibiotics and delayed pars plana vitrectomy with removal of intraocular foreign body (IOFB) in patients with clinical features of bacterial endophthalmitis and retained IOFB.


METHODS
Retrospective review of all patients with clinical features of infective endophthalmitis and a retained IOFB who had immediate injection of intravitreal antibiotics and delayed pars plana vitrectomy with removal of IOFB in two vitreo-retinal centres during 1995-2001. Nine patients were identified and minimum follow-up was 3 months.


RESULTS
Four of the nine patients had a final visual outcome of 6/18 or better. One patient developed total retinal detachment.


CONCLUSIONS
The current series suggests that immediate injection of intravitreal antibiotics with delayed removal of IOFB in eyes with clinical features of infective endophthalmitis and a retained IOFB is a possible alternative to immediate removal of IOFB. This management may be associated with preservation of the eye and restoration of useful visual acuity.
Knox
F A
FA
Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. angelaknox@ireland.com
Best
R M
RM
Kinsella
F
F
Mirza
K
K
Sharkey
J A
JA
Mulholland
D
D
Altaie
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014821:Vitrectomy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents