Vitrectomy with Fluconazole Infusion: Retinal Toxicity, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy in the Treatment of Experimental Candidal Endophthalmitis

Severe bacterial endophthalmitis: towards improving clinical outcomes

Endophthalmitis is an infection and inflammation of the interior of the eye that can result in significant vision loss. This infection occurs as a result of the seeding of organisms into the interior of the eye following surgery (postoperative), trauma (post-traumatic) or an infection in another site in the body (endogenous). The general rate of endophthalmitis has remained steady over the past several years. However, the increased use of intraocular injections to treat various degenerative and inflammatory ocular diseases, in addition to the already large and growing number of invasive ocular surgeries, may increase the opportunities in which organisms can gain access to the eye. In most cases of endophthalmitis, useful vision can be retained if proper treatment is instituted. However, in severe cases of bacterial endophthalmitis, blindness often occurs despite treatment. This article summarizes information on endophthalmitis epidemiology, treatment issues and current regimens, and recent experimental and clinical efforts to improve the outcome of severe and blinding forms of bacterial endophthalmitis.

Efficacy of vitrectomy in improving the outcome of Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of vitrectomy with vancomycin for the treatment of experimental Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis.

METHODS

Endophthalmitis was initiated in rabbits via intravitreal injection of 100 colony-forming unit B. cereus. Treatment groups included 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy with intravitreal vancomycin (1 mg) or vancomycin alone. Groups were treated at 4, 5, or 6 hours after infection. At 48 hours (for 4-hour and 5-hour groups) or 36 hours (for the 6-hour group) after infection, eyes were analyzed by electroretinography, histology, and inflammatory cell counts.

RESULTS

Treatment with vitrectomy/vancomycin at 4 hours resulted in significantly greater retinal function compared with that of vancomycin alone. Intraocular inflammation after treatment at 4 hours was minimal for both the treatment groups. Treatment with vitrectomy/vancomycin or vancomycin alone at 5 hours or 6 hours after infection resulted in similar levels of retinal function loss (i.e., >90%) and significant intraocular inflammation.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that vitrectomy may be of therapeutic benefit in the treatment of B. cereus endophthalmitis but only during the early stages of infection.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Endogenous Fungal Endophthalmitis

Endogenous infectious endophthalmitis is rare, and a primary source is usually identified. A case of primary fungal endophthalmitis successfully treated with vitrectomy and systemic antifungal therapy is presented. The aetiology and treatment of the condition are discussed.