RESULTS OF TREATMENT OF ACUTE ENDOPHTHALM ITIS AFTER CATARACT-EXTRACTION

Since 1980, the authors have observed 56 cases of endophthalmitis afte r cataract surgery which they classify into three groups A. 18 cases o f forms confined to the anterior segment, which just received medical treatment; B. 37 cases of more serious forms with vitreous abscess, tr eated by vitrectomy; C. 1 case of fulminant form which was eviscerated . The results of group B are better than those of group A: organic: 2. 7 % versus 11.1 % of phtisis functional: 73 % of calculable visual acu ity versus 66.6 %, although the initial forms had been more severe. Vi trectomy however causes some complications such as initial detachment (16.2 %) cystoid macular oedema (11 %) and vascular complications (11 %). However that may be, vitrectomy has several advantages: to collect a larger amount of vitreous liquid; to mechanically eliminate the pus ; a faster functional rehabilitation by lightening of the vitreous.