Aggressive managementofanepidemic ofchronic pseudophakic endophthalmitis: results andliterature

Sixcases ofchronic endophthalmitis following extracapsular cataract extraction andlens implantation arereviewed. Allwerereferred fortertiary management byonesurgeon over aperiod ofjust over2years. Intwoofthe cases coagulase negative staphylococci were isolated andinthree Propionibactenum spp wereretrieved. Intheremaining caseamixed growth ofcoagulase negative staphylococci andPropionibactenum acnes wascultured. Thesurgical management, microbiological results, andeventual visual outcome arediscussed. To ourknowledge, this isthefirst documented outbreak ofchronic pseudophakicendophthalmitis withcommensal organisms fromasingle centre. (BrJ Ophthalmol 1994; 78:115-119)