Purpose: To report the etiology, culture results, management techniques, and visual outcomes for pediatric endophthalmitis at Emory University for the past 10 years.
Methods: Retrospective chart review based on a computer generated database of all cases of endophthalmitis occurring in patients younger than 18 years from 1995 to 2005.
Results: Sixteen cases of pediatric endophthalmitis were identified. Ocular trauma and previous ocular surgery were the most common etiologies, accounting for 44% and 38% of cases respectively. Nine cases (56%) had positive vitreous cultures. Sixty-six percent of cases with positive vitreous cultures involved Gram-positive species. All patients were treated with intravitreal antibiotics. Primary vitrectomy was performed in nine cases. Subsequent to the intraocular infection, 6 eyes (38%) developed retinal detachments. At last follow-up, visual acuity of 20/400 or better was obtained in only 6 eyes (38%).
Conclusions: Pediatric endophthalmitis in this series most commonly resulted from penetrating ocular trauma or from ocular surgery. Retinal detachment commonly occurred as a complication. Despite aggressive management with antibiotics and in many cases vitrectomy, visual outcomes were poor in this series.