Fifty-two cases of postoperative endophthalmitis treated with one protocol: anatomical and functional results

Purpose: To evaluate our management of postoperative endophthalmitis and co mpare our protocol to the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study's (EVS) recommen ded protocol. Patients and methods: This study comprises 52 patients with postoperative e ndophthalmitis treated with the same protocol in 1996 and 1997. Patients we re given an intravitreal injection of antibiotics (vancomycin-amikacin) and steroids (dexamethasone), systemic antibiotics (pefloxacin-piperracillin), and systemic steroids in bolus. Vitrectomy was not systematic. So as not t o delay the treatment, cultures were obtained only from an anterior chamber paracentesis. Results: Visual acuity was measurable in 86.5% of the patients, with 20/100 in 63.4% and 20/40 in 44.2%. Our results are similar to those of the EVS e ven when initial visual acuity was Light Perception. Conclusion: Our protocol is simple and easy to perform in all ophthalmology centers. It is based on intravitreal injection, which must be performed as quickly as possible.