ENDOPHTHALMITIS - CURRENT APPROACHES TO DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY

Early recognition and prompt management are important in reducing visu al loss from infectious endophthalmitis. Increased awareness of the pr edisposing factors for postoperative endophthalmitis have led to more widespread use of preventive measures during anterior segment surgery. The use of less toxic intraocular antibiotics may reduce retinal dama ge and routine administration of intravitreal corticosteroids will red uce the tissue destruction produced by the intraocular inflammatory re sponse. The use of vitrectomy in endophthalmitis management is being s tudied in a randomized, prospective study. Newer, less toxic, systemic antifungal medications which can be used alone or in conjunction with local ocular therapy for fungal endophthalmitis are available. Curren t diagnostic and management approaches are reviewed.