Bacterial endophthalmitis following 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy

Case report

(2274) Views  (470) Full article downloads

Authors: Drew N Sommerville, Dean P Hainsworth

Published Date September 2008 Volume 2008:2(4) Pages 935 - 936

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S2489

Drew N Sommerville, Dean P Hainsworth

The Mason Eye Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA

Purpose: To report a case of endophthalmitis following 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.

Design: Observational case report.

Methods: An 87-year-old male who underwent sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy developed unilateral endophthalmitis. Vitreous culture revealed Staphylococcus coagulase-negative bacteria. He was subsequently treated with intravitreal antibiotics and oral prednisone.

Results: The endophthalmitis resolved with a best corrected visual acuity of 6/200 with the presence of an epiretinal membrane.

Conclusions: Possible contributing factors to endophthalmitis following sutureless vitrectomy include decreased vitreous irrigation/lavage, lack of a watertight wound, and/or vitreous wicking, all of which may promote intraocular bacterial entrance. A sutureless vitrectomy system may increase the risk of vitrectomy-associated endophthalmitis.

Keywords: endophthalmitis, 25-gauge vitrectomy, vitreous wick, sutureless, high flow lavage