Management of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of the eye and orbit: A retrospective case series

Abstract Purpose To provide an update on different management approaches for Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) infections of the eye and orbit. Observations A total of 9 eyes from 8 patients were found to meet study criteria. Of these 9 eyes, 6 eyes (66%) involved Mycobacterium abscessus, 2 (22%) involved M. chelonae, and 1 (11%) involved M. fortuitum. In 8 (88%) eyes, NTM infection was treated with a combination of antibiotics and removal of involved foreign body or tissue (e.g. scleral buckle, intraocular lens, orbital implant, or granuloma). One case was observed on topical therapy alone due to low suspicion for clinically significant infection. In 1 patient, a second culture-positive infection was found in the contralateral eye requiring treatment. Conclusions and importance Depending on the clinical presentation, optimal treatment of ocular and orbital NTM infections may require combination anti-mycobacterial antibiotics (topical and systemic), surgical removal of implanted material or tissue, or both.