Incidence and Risk Factors of Intraocular Foreign Body-Related Endophthalmitis in Southern China

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of intraocular foreign body- (IOFB-) related endophthalmitis. METHODS: A total of 1701 patients diagnosed with IOFB between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2015 were included. Two groups of patients were defined according to the presence or absence of endophthalmitis, and a comparison of personal information, IOFB characteristics, and wound location were performed. RESULTS: In total, 279 patients (16.4%) developed endophthalmitis, older age (P=0.01) was a risk factor. IOFBs retained in the crystal lens or wall of the eyeball conferred lower risks (P=0.01 and 0.04, respectively) compared to the vitreous chamber. The coexistence of different IOFB types and plant IOFBs conferred higher risks (P=0.02 and 0.03, respectively), while glass/plastic IOFBs conferred a lower risk (P=0.03) compared to metallic IOFBs. CONCLUSIONS: Age, IOFB locations, and types were related to development of endophthalmitis, while IOFB number, size, or timing of primary repairs was not related.