Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis is an inflammation of the internal coats of the eye. It is a dreaded complication of all intraocular surgeries, particularly cataract surgery, with possible loss of vision and the eye itself. Infectious etiology is the most common and various bacteria and fungi have been isolated as the cause of the endophthalmitis. Other causes include penetrating trauma and retained intraocular foreign bodies.

Signs and symptoms
A history of recent intraocular surgery or penetrating ocular trauma is usually elicited. In some cases of metastatic endophthalmitis, the spread of infection may be hematogenous (via the blood-stream). That is more commonly seen in patients with immunocompromised states like AIDS and also in diabetes. The condition is usually accompanied by severe pain, loss of vision and redness of the conjunctiva and the underlying episclera. Alongside are present signs of inflammation of the various coats of the eye. Hypopyon can also be present in endophthalmitis and should be looked for on examination by a slit lamp. Progression to involve all the coats of the eye is called as panuveitis or panophthalmitis.

Treatment
The patient needs urgent examination by an expert ophthalmologist and/or vitreo-retina specialist who will usually decide for urgent intervention to provide intravitreal injection of potent antibiotics and also prepare for an urgent pars plana vitrectomy as needed. Enucleation may be required to remove a blind and painful eye.