Acute-onset Endophthalmitis After Cataract Surgery (2000–2004): Incidence, Clinical Settings, and Visual Acuity Outcomes After Treatment
Accepted 20 January 2005. published online 03 May 2005.
Purpose
To report the incidence, clinical settings, and visual acuity outcomes of acute-onset endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.
Design
Retrospective, observational case series.
Methods
Annual cataract surgery statistics were determined by review of electronic surgical records. The clinical and microbiologic records were reviewed of all patients with clinically diagnosed endophthalmitis within 6 weeks after cataract surgery at a single university-affiliated hospital between January 2000 and November 2004. main outcome measures: Operative technique, intraoperative complications, and visual acuity.
Results
The incidence of acute-onset endophthalmitis after cataract surgery was 0.04% (7/15,920) for cataract surgeries of all methods, 0.05% (6/11,462) for cataract surgery by clear cornea phacoemulsification, and 0.02% (1/4,458) for cataract surgery by methods other than clear cornea phacoemulsification (P = .681, Fisher’s exact test). Six of seven (86%) cases occurred in the right eye, and all cases were performed by right-handed surgeons through temporal incisions. Five of seven (71%) patients had relative immune compromise. Four of seven (57%) patients had an intraoperative complication: vitreous loss in three patients and iris prolapse in one patient. Two patients had topical placement of lidocaine 2% gel before povidone-iodine preparation. The visual acuity at final follow up was 20/25 or better in four patients and count fingers or worse in three patients.
Conclusions
The incidence of acute-onset endophthalmitis after temporal clear cornea incision phacoemulsification is low (0.05%). Potential risk factors for endophthalmitis may include intraoperative complications, relative immune compromise, application of lidocaine 2% gel before povidone-iodine preparation, and inferior incision location.
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
Inquiries to Ingrid U. Scott, MD, MPH, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, PO Box 016880, Miami, FL 33101; fax: (305) 326-6417
Supported in part by Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc., New York, New York.
ABSTRACT