Safety of intracameral cefuroxime in pars plana vitrectomy

Macular Edema and Serous Macular Detachment after a Standard Dose of Intracameral Cefuroxime

Intracameral cefuroxime has been associated with postoperative macular edema and sub-retinal fluid. To date, nearly all published cases are attributed to errors in antibiotic dilution, leading to administration of supratherapeutic doses. We report three cases of postoperative macular edema and subretinal fluid following a standard dose of 1 mg/0.1 mL of cefuroxime at the end of cataract surgery. Distinguishing features of these cases were intraoperative zonular instability and history of vitrectomy. We hypothesize that certain factors may increase the risk of cefuroxime-associated retinal toxicity, including history of vitrectomy, zonular compromise, posterior capsular break, surgery for a secondary intraocular lens, and unicameral state. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:615-618.].