Endogenous Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis: a case report and literature review

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a vision-threatening condition that results f rom the hematogenous spread of infection to the eye that originated in a di stant primary focus. Although it has long been recognized that bloodborne o rganisms can infect the eye, endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis is consid ered a rare entity. We present a unique case of a critically ill patient wi th a cholangiocarcinoma complicated by ascending cholangitis who developed endogenous Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis, An awareness of the risk factors predisposing to endogenous endophthalmitis and a high clinical sus picion are necessary to make an early diagnosis in the intensive care unit. Management involves an aggressive combined medical and surgical approach i n an effort to prevent ocular morbidity and vision loss.