Endophthalmitis is a severe inflammation and infection inside the eye, usually caused by bacteria or fungi. It is an ophthalmic emergency that can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.
Causes and symptoms
Most cases occur after eye surgery, injections, or penetrating injury, but infection can also spread from the bloodstream.
- Rapid onset of eye pain, redness, and worsening blurred vision
- Light sensitivity, swollen lids, and sometimes a white or cloudy pupil
- History of recent cataract surgery, intravitreal injection, or trauma
- Occasional endogenous cases in people with severe systemic infection
Treatment
Urgent specialist care is essential. Treatment aims to control infection and preserve as much sight as possible.
- Intravitreal antibiotics or antifungals injected directly into the eye
- Vitrectomy surgery in more severe cases to remove infected gel
- Systemic antibiotics and careful monitoring of vision and pain
- Outcome depends on organism type, speed of diagnosis, and underlying eye health
