Outcome of Endophthalmitis Treatment in a Tertiary Referral Center in Southern Iran

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the causative organisms, the clinical characteristics, visual outcomes, and the incidence of acute endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, a chart review was performed for patients treated in a tertiary referral center for acute endophthalmitis after cataract surgery from January 2005 to December 2009. During the study period, 62 additional patients with acute postoperative endophthalmitis were referred to and treated in this center. Therefore the cohort comprised 70 patients (8 of whom underwent cataract surgery at our center, and 62 who were referred). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were analyzed. The primary outcome measure was final visual acuity. P<0.05 indicated statistical significance RESULTS: During the study period, 7737 cataract surgeries were performed in this center. Eight (0.10%) of 7737 eyes developed acute postoperative endophthalmitis. Subgroup analysis indicated that extracapsular cataract extraction was associated with a fourfold higher risk of endophthalmitis compared with phacoemulsification. We found better initial visual acuity (VA) (≥ hand motion) (P<0.001) and negative cultures (P=0.021) were independently associated with a more favorable visual outcome. Patients with relative afferent papillary defect (RAPD) were associated with lower initial VA (P<0.001) and worse visual outcome (P=0.001). Positive microbial cultures were found for 33 (42.9%) cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated. Positive cultures were more frequently found in patients with RAPD. The “gram-positive coagulase-negative” and “no growth” groups had the best visual outcome. Associated keratitis and avoiding intraocular steroids were associated with the risk of evisceration. CONCLUSION: The visual outcome after endophthalmitis was generally poor and only one eighth of the eyes achieved a final corrected visual acuity of ≥20/200. Therefore, better treatment strategies are warranted. Immediate treatment is essential and the role of primary vitrectomy requires further investigation. In addition, RAPD, as an objective test, may complement VA for predicting the prognosis and planning the course of treatment.