ABSTRACT
The bacterial spectrum of the infections depends of the origin of the infection. Postoperative endophthalmitis results almost uniformly from the patient's flora inadvertently introduced into the eye. Endophthalmitis is an uncommon, but perhaps the most feared complication of ocular surgery. Delayed onset or chronic endophthalmitis can occur as the result of slow-growing bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes. Occasionally, bacterial endophthalmitis has a late onset and some delayed cases are caused by fungi. The typical presenting complaints of endophthalmitis are pain, decreased vision, and conjunctival hyperemia. Bleb-related endophthalmitis is caused by streptococcal infection approximately half of the time and Hemophilus influenza is seen more commonly than after postcataract infections. The role of intravenous or oral antimicrobials in the prophylaxis and treatment of endophthalmitis remains controversial. Intravenous antimicrobials may be effective in endogenous endophthalmitis in which there is a presumed site of infection or entry into the eye in the uvea or immediately adjacent to it.
