A cluster of patients with acute-onset endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a cluster of patients who had acute-onset endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.


METHODS
Ten patients with endophthalmitis following cataract surgery who were referred from three different anterior segment surgeons were evaluated.


RESULTS
Presenting visual acuities ranged from 20/30 to light perception (median, 20/80). All 10 eyes demonstrated vitritis, 8 of 10 eyes had hypopyon, and the remaining 2 eyes had significant anterior segment fibrin. All patients were treated with intravitreal injections of vancomycin and ceftazidime, as well as subconjunctival steroids. Vitreous cultures were positive in 2 of 10 eyes, and both grew Staphylococcus epidermidis, aqueous cultures were negative in 8 of 8 eyes (not performed in 2 patients). Follow-up ranged from 13 to 85 days (median, 37 days). All eyes showed complete resolution of inflammation and visual acuity improved to 20/40 or better in 9 eyes (90%).


CONCLUSIONS
Acute-onset endophthalmitis may occur in a cluster of patients within a short time frame. Early diagnosis and treatment may result in favorable visual outcomes.
Chaudhry
Nauman A
NA
New England Retina Research and Education Foundation, Hamden, Connecticut 06518, USA.
Lavaque
Alejandro J
AJ
Scott
Ingrid U
IU
Flynn
Harry W
HW
Liggett
Peter E
PE
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002442:Ceftazidime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000382:microbiology
D014640:Vancomycin; D002442:Ceftazidime