BLEB INFECTIONS - CLINICALLY DIFFERENT COURSES OF BLEBITIS AND ENDOPHTHALMITIS

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the differences in history, clini cal course, and response between five cases of blebitis and three case s of endophthalmitis following mitomycin trabeculectomy PATIENTS AND M ETHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of eight consecut ive cases of bleb-related infection following successful mitomycin tra beculectomy. RESULTS: All patients with blebitis responded to treatmen t with return of visual acuity and intraocular pressure to preinfectio n levels. In the three cases of endophthalmitis, one patient underwent enucleation, one had a final visual acuity of counting fingers, and t he third had a visual acuity of 20/60. CONCLUSIONS: Blebitis, a limite d form of bleb-related infection with thin, cystic, leaky blebs, respo nds to intensive topical antibiotic treatment, returning visual acuity and IOP to preinfection levels. Bleb-related endophthalmitis causes a more virulent form of bleb-related infection that involves thin- or t hick-walled blebs, with or without leakage, and poor visual prognosis despite immediate intensive topical, systemic, and intravitreal antibi otic administration combined with core vitrectomy.