Endogenous endophthalmitis: Case report and brief review

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a potentially blinding ocular infection resul ting from hematogenous spread from a remote primary source. The condition i s relatively rare but may become more common as the number of chronically d ebilitated patients and the use of invasive procedures increase. Many etiol ogic organisms (gram-positive, gram-negative and fungal) have been reported to cause endogenous endophthalmitis. Risk factors are well defined and inc lude most reasons for immune suppression. A high clinical suspicion is need ed for early diagnosis and treatment. Early intravenous antibiotic therapy remains the cornerstone of treatment. The roles of intravitreal antibiotics and vitrectomy are evolving and may become more widely accepted as therape utic modalities. The authors report a case of endogenous endophthalmitis an d provide a brief review of the literature.