Clinical Findings Predicting Posttraumatic Endophthalmitis after Repair of Open Globe Injuries

Abstract

Background: To evaluate risk factors for developing endophthalmitis after repair of open globe injuries. Methods: Retrospective chart analysis of 1303 patients from May 1996 till December 2019. Results: All patients received prophylactic intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics for 5–7 days. Endophthalmitis was clinically suspected in 37 (2.8%) eyes and was culture proven in 14 of these eyes (1.1%). Univariate analysis identified poor initial visual acuity at presentation, rural setting of injury, contaminated wound and lens injury as significant predictors for the development of clinically suspected endophthalmitis. Intravitreal antibiotics at the time of primary repair in eyes with high-risk characteristics decreased risk of developing endophthalmitis (OR: 2.28;95% CI,1.07–4.86; p = .033). Conclusions: Poor initial visual acuity, rural setting of injury, contaminated wound, and lens injury increased risk of suspected posttraumatic endophthalmitis. Prophylactic intravitreal antibiotics at the time of primary repair in eyes with high-risk characteristics reduced the risk of posttraumatic endophthalmitis.