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Rate of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery remains low
WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Endophthalmitis after cataract surgery is uncommon, but it does happen, according to a speaker, with reported rates varying from 0.03% to 0.15%.
When looking back at a single institution’s experience over a 15-year period during which nearly 60,000 cataract surgeries were performed, only 16 cases (0.03%) were identified, OSN Retina/Vitreous Board Member Andrew A. Moshfeghi, MD, MBA, said at Hawaiian Eye 2013.
Andrew A. Moshfeghi
“What this tells us is that during the era of sutureless clear cornea cataract surgery, the rate has certainly not increased but has decreased over previous time periods at the same institution,” he said.
The surgical technique may be different, but prophylaxis is much the same, he said, particularly that povidone-iodine remains essential.
Common treatments for presumed bacterial endophthalmitis include intravitreal vancomycin and ceftazidime, Moshfeghi said, and about half of those affected and treated achieve visual acuity outcomes of 20/40 or better.
Disclosure: Moshfeghi is a consultant for Alcon, Allergan, Bausch + Lomb, Regeneron, Genentech/Roche, Valeant and ThromboGenics.