[Infectious endophthalmitis after cataract extraction, a serious complication].
Cataract extraction with lens implantation is the most used surgical procedure worldwide and is relatively safe. Nevertheless, this procedure carries the risk for infectious complications, since a foreign body is implanted in the eye to which bacteria that may cause endophthalmitis can adhere. Acute postoperative endophthalmitis is a potentially devastating disease that prompts immediate recognition and therapy, whereas chronic postoperative endophthalmitis is a low virulent, long-lasting infection that is hard to diagnose and for which the choice of treatment should be weighed carefully. We present 2 cases that illustrate both types of endophthalmitis. Before the decision to perform a cataract extraction is taken, the risk of infectious complications has to be considered in the light of the expected visual acuity gained by the procedure.
Wesselink
Christiaan
C
Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, afd. Oogheelkunde, Groningen, The Netherlands. c.wesselink@ohk.umcg.nl
Koopmans
Steven A
SA
Los
Leonoor I
LI
D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011424:Propionibacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012086:Reoperation; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents