Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide, and postoperative endophthalmitis is its most serious complication. Endophthalmitis after cataract surgery typically occurs within a few weeks of the procedure, with a prevalence ranging from 0.05% to 0.2%. Clinically, it is characterized by a decrease in visual acuity, pain, and redness of the eye. However, it can also occur months or even years after the procedure if slow-growing organisms are involved.
Patient preparation for cataract surgery is essential in reducing the risk of endophthalmitis. Factors that predict visual prognosis in acute postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis include age, gender, visual acuity at the time of presentation, time elapsed from cataract surgery to signs of endophthalmitis, presence of hypopion at the time of presentation, positivity of microbial culture, causative organism, pre-treatment before referral, and primary vitrectomy as initial treatment. Endophthalmitis can be caused by the introduction of microbial organisms into the eye during or after surgery. This can be from the patient's normal conjunctival and epidermal flora or from contaminated instruments; other risk factors are listed in TABLE 3.6.As inflammation is likely to occur once organisms access the vitreous cavity, rapid recognition, diagnosis and treatment are essential to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
In conclusion, endophthalmitis after cataract surgery usually follows one of two courses: early onset or late onset. The first occurs a few days after surgery and is often caused by S. Late-onset endophthalmitis is characterized by chronic inflammation and is mainly caused by low-virulence microorganisms such as coagulase-negative staphylococci or Propionibacterium acnes. While serious complications from cataract surgery are rare, pharmacists should be aware of the risks and pharmacological treatments for postoperative endophthalmitis in order to provide optimal care for their patients.
Preparation for cataract surgery is key in reducing the risk of endophthalmitis. In order to provide optimal care for their patients, pharmacists should be aware of the risks and pharmacological treatments for postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. Early onset endophthalmitis usually occurs a few days after surgery and is often caused by S. Late-onset endophthalmitis is characterized by chronic inflammation and is mainly caused by low-virulence microorganisms such as coagulase-negative staphylococci or Propionibacterium acnes.
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