A 10-year Review of Microbial Spectrum of Post-cataract Surgery Endophthalmitis in Hong Kong Chinese

Postoperative acute endophthalmitis, with an estimated incidence of 0.07 to 0.26% worldwide [1-3], is one of the most serious complications after cataract surgery which may result in profound visual impairment after recovery. Studies have been conducted to identify the risk factors and possible prophylactic measures to reduce its incidence [4]. However, information regarding epidemiology of this condition and its microbial spectrum in the Chinese population is lacking. There has been no large study to date that aimed to investigate the association of the type of causative microorganisms and final visual outcome. The primary objective of this study, therefore, was to find out the spectrum of causative microorganisms of post-cataract extraction endophthalmitis in the Hong Kong Chinese population and to compare with the post-cataract endophthalmitis case series in the literature worldwide. Any association between the causative microorganism and final visual outcome would be investigated and analyzed. We also aimed to make recommendations on the management of postoperative endophthalmitis in order to maximize visual outcome.