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Endophthalmitis: A Vision-Threatening Infection

Endophthalmitis is a serious eye infection that inflames and infects the inner parts of the eye, especially the vitreous humor, a clear jelly-like substance. This infection is typically caused by bacteria or fungi entering the eye and can rapidly lead to vision loss.

Causes of Endophthalmitis

Eye surgery: The most common cause of endophthalmitis is post-operative infection following eye surgeries such as cataract surgery or retinal surgery.

Trauma: Eye injuries, such as corneal lacerations or penetrating eye injuries, can introduce bacteria or fungi into the eye, leading to endophthalmitis.

Spread of infection from other parts of the body: In some cases, infections from other parts of the body, like the sinuses or teeth, can spread to the eye.

Symptoms of Endophthalmitis

Symptoms of endophthalmitis usually appear rapidly and include:

Severe eye pain: The pain is often severe and constant and may be accompanied by light sensitivity.

Redness of the eye: The white part of the eye and the conjunctiva (the thin clear layer covering the white of the eye) become red and inflamed.

Blurred vision: Vision decreases rapidly and may be lost completely.

Changes in pupil appearance: The pupil may become enlarged or small and may not react to light.

Pus-like discharge: A pus-like discharge may come from the eye.

Complications of Endophthalmitis

If endophthalmitis is not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can lead to serious complications such as:

Complete vision loss: In severe cases, endophthalmitis can cause complete blindness.

Cataracts: The infection can cause cataracts to form.

Retinal detachment: The infection can cause the retina to detach from the back of the eye.

Diagnosing Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis is diagnosed based on symptoms, a comprehensive eye examination, and diagnostic tests such as:

Examining a sample of fluid from the eye: To identify the type of microorganism causing the infection.

Eye imaging: To assess the severity of the infection and examine any damage to the eye.

Treating Endophthalmitis

Treatment for endophthalmitis typically involves:

Antibiotics or antifungal medications: To kill the microorganism causing the infection.

Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove infected parts of the eye and drain pus.

Supportive care: Such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications.

Preventing Endophthalmitis

To prevent endophthalmitis, it is important to:

Sterilize medical equipment: All equipment used during eye surgery must be thoroughly sterilized.

Maintain good hygiene: After eye surgery, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene and avoid touching the eye.

Treat eye infections promptly: Any eye infection should be diagnosed and treated promptly.

Endophthalmitis is a medical emergency. If you experience any symptoms of endophthalmitis, seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications and vision loss.