A study of microbial profile and visual outcome of endophthalmitis at tertiary eye care centre in central India

Background & objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine microbiological profile and its association with visual outcome. The present study was conducted in the department of ophthalmology at tertiary eye care centre in central India. Methods: The present study was a hospital based prospective observational and Interventional study conducted in the department of ophthalmology at tertiary eye care centre during the period from November 2018 to Octomber 2020. After collection of aqueous or vitreous sample from all patients they received intravitreal antibiotics with or without vitrectomy and the management was based on microbiological analysis of the vitreous fluid. Results: Post operative endopthalmitis was found in 35 (45.5%) cases, post-traumatic endophthalmitis was in 31 (40.3%) cases and 11 (14.3%) cases of endogenous endophthalmitis. Males were predominant in all three types of endophthalmitis. There were 22 patients with only culture positive findings and 10 cases with both smear and culture positive finding. 24 culture samples were positive for bacteria and 8 were positive for fungi. Postoperative endopthalmitis was most common among all types. All Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to vancomycin and all gram negative bacteria were Susceptibile to ceftazidime. Visual outcome of fungal endophthalmitis cases was poorer compared to bacterial endophthalmitis. Post-interventionv Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was better when the vitreous samples was negative in culture. Interpretation & conclusions: The outcome of infectious endophthalmitis and spectrum of infection in central India was similar to other parts of the country. Compared to bacterial endophthalmitis, the visual outcome of fungal endophthalmitis cases was poorer. Empirical use of standard intravitreal therapy is recommended while emphasizing on vitreous biopsy for culture and sensitivity whenever possible.