OUTCOME OF EARLY VITRECTOMY IN PATIENTS OF EARLY POST-OPERATIVE CATARACT SURGERY ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER CATARACT SURGERY

Tuba Saman; Saliha Naz; Syed Fawad Rizvi; Sakshi Kumari; Zeeshan Kamil

doi:10.46903/gjms/23.4.2091

OUTCOME OF EARLY VITRECTOMY IN PATIENTS OF EARLY POST-OPERATIVE CATARACT SURGERY ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER CATARACT SURGERY

Tuba Saman, Saliha Naz, Syed Fawad Rizvi, Sakshi Kumari, Zeeshan Kamil

Abstract

Background: Postoperative endophthalmitis is a vision-threatening complication following cataract surgery. Early vitrectomy has emerged as a promising intervention, especially with advancements in surgical techniques. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the visual outcomes and complication rates of early pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in patients with acute-onset endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.

Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at LRBT Hospital, Karachi, from 15 April 2023 to 14 April 2024. A total of 82 patients aged 18–80 years with clinical signs of endophthalmitis within 6 weeks of cataract surgery were included. All patients received intravitreal antibiotics followed by PPV within 48 hours. Visual acuity was assessed at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Data were analyzed using SPSS v20, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: At presentation, 63.4% had PL+VE vision and 34.1% had HM+VE. Visual acuity improved significantly at each follow-up. By 6 months, 23 patients from the PL+VE group achieved 6/12 vision. Overall, 74.3% showed significant improvement (p<0.0001). Complication rates were low.

Conclusion: Early vitrectomy significantly improves visual outcomes in postoperative endophthalmitis and should be considered early in management, particularly in settings with timely access to vitreoretinal surgery.

Keywords

Cataract Surgery; Endophthalmitis; Intravitreal Antibiotics; Visual Acuity; Vitrectomy.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46903/gjms/23.4.2091