Endophthalmitis Associated With Glaucoma Drainage Implants.
To identify the clinical features, organisms, and treatment outcomes in patients with endophthalmitis associated with glaucoma drainage implants.



A retrospective noncomparative case series.



Of the 13 patients, exposure occurred in eight eyes, including exposure of the tube in four eyes, exposure of the patch graft in three eyes, and exposure of the plate in one eye. In the remaining five eyes, either recent implant placement or conjunctival revision occurred. The most common organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis (five eyes). Intravitreal antibiotics were administered in all eyes, with the exception of one eye (primary evisceration). Removal of the implant was performed in six eyes and evisceration or enucleation was performed in three eyes. Median pre-infection visual acuity was 20/80 (range: 20/30 to hand motion). Visual acuity at last follow-up was no light perception (five eyes), light perception (two eyes), hand motion (one eye), and better than or equal to 20/200 (five eyes).



Clinical features associated with endophthalmitis include implant exposure and a history of recent surgery. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common isolate. Although removal of the implant was performed in many patients, successful treatment was accomplished in some patients without removal. Visual outcomes were generally poor. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016;47:563-569.].
Carlos A
CA
Medina
Michelle R
MR
Butler
Avnish A
AA
Deobhakta
Michael R
MR
Banitt
Thomas A
TA
Albini
William E
WE
Smiddy
Audina M
AM
Berrocal
Steven J
SJ
Gedde
Harry W
HW
Flynn
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020878:Device Removal; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents