Microbiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility of scleral buckle infections in North India

PURPOSE: The aim of this article to study causative organisms for scleral buckle (SB) infections in North India. METHODS: A retrospective review of records was done for all patients who have undergone SB removal at our institute between January 2009 and December 2017. The records were analyzed for etiological agent of the infected buckle and its antibiotic sensitivity. RESULTS: A total of 43 samples were analyzed and a positive culture was noted in 35 (81.40%) cases. The buckle infection rate at our institute was noted to be 2.53%. The commonest organism causing SB infections was Staphylococcus – 15 (42.6%) cases, followed by Pseudomonas – 6 (17.14%) cases and Fungi – 6 (17.14%) cases. The median interval between retinal detachment surgery and buckle explantation was 3 years. CONCLUSION: A large variety of organisms may cause SB infections. The commonest organism found to cause buckle infections in our study was Staphylococcus sp.