Endophthalmitis

Abstract

A clinicopathologic case report of endophthalmitis which occurred following cataract extraction is presented. The patient died from an unrelated disease two months after therapy was instituted. The discouraging clinical picture of extensive ocular damage had developed despite prompt and vigorous antibiotic therapy. Histologic examination of the eye at the time of death proved surprising as there was remarkable preservation of the intraocular structures. It was the discouraging clinical picture contrasted with the more benign pathologic findings that made this case unique. Had the patient survived, the pessimism generated by the clinical evaluation might have deterred the operator from incising a dense pupillary membrane which had formed. Discission could have been considered ineffective because of probable intraocular damage. In this case it appeared that some visual improvement would have resulted. Report of Case Clinical History. —The patient was a 69-year-old white woman, a known labile diabetic with