Clinical analysis of 46 cases of vitrectomy for endophthalmitis

Objective To discuss the cause of endophthalmitis and the effect of vitrectomy on endophthalmitis.Methods We retrospectively analyzed records of 46 cases(48 eyes)of endophthalmitis from January 2001 to January 2003, 35 males(37 eyes),11 females (11 eyes).The patients'ages ranged from 2 to 59 years old (mean 37.4 years).Except two patients with severe endophthalmitis received evisceration therapy,all the patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy.Postoperative follow-up ranged from 4 to 48 months (mean 15 1 months).Results Endophthalmitis was diagnosed as resulting from penetrating injury in 32 eyes, endogenous endophthalmitis in 7 eyes, cataract surgery in 6 eyes,vitrectomy in 1 eye,and unknown reason in 2 eyes.The postoperative visual acuities of these patients increased to various degrees.Conclusion Penetrating ocular injury is the most common cause of suppurative endophthalmitis,and early vitrectomy plays an important role in the therapy of endophthalmitis.