Clinical profile and visual outcome in cluster endophthalmitis following cataract surgery in Central India

The purpose of this study was to determine clinical presentation, microbiological spectrum and visual outcome of cluster endophthalmitis patients after cataract surgery in central India. The records of cluster endophthalmitis patients were retrospectively reviewed. Three clusters of patients were identified who had undergone vitreous biopsy followed by three-port pars plana vitrectomy with intraocular antibiotics and steroids. Good visual outcome was seen in eight (33%) of 24 patients. Six patients had corneal infiltration. Smear positivity was 58% and culture positivity was 42%. There was significant association (P < 0.001) between presenting vision of <20/400 and growth in vitreous culture (P = 0.006) with poor visual outcome. The association between type of surgery (P = 0.6), duration of symptoms (P = 0.64) and corneal infiltration (P = 0.06) with visual outcome was not significant. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the organism isolated in vitreous cultures. Thirty three percent patients benefit after appropriate vitreoretinal intervention in cluster endophthalmitis.