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Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis involves swelling (inflammation) within the eyeball. It is a serious condition.

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Causes

Endophthalmitis is caused by infection with bacteria or a fungus. It very often occurs as a rare complication of cataract or other eye surgery or an injury to the eye.

Symptoms

The symptoms are:

• Decreased vision
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling of the eyelids

Call your health care provider right away if you have these symptoms after eye surgery.

Related Information

Eye pain
Swelling

References

Cioffi GA, Liebmann JM. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 391.

de Geus SJR, Hopman J, Brüggemann RJ, Klevering BJ, Crama N. Acute endophthalmitis after cataract surgery: clinical characteristics and the role of intracameral antibiotic prophylaxis. Ophthalmol Retina. 2021;5(6):503-510. PMID: 32956857 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32956857/.

Durand ML. Endophthalmitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 114.

Lacy M, Kung TP, Owen JP, et al. Endophthalmitis rate in immediately sequential versus delayed sequential bilateral cataract surgery within the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry Data. Ophthalmology. 2022;129(2):129-38. PMID: 34265315 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34265315/.

Rodger DC, Shildkrot YE, Eliott D. Infectious endophthalmitis. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 7.8.

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Review Date: 8/4/2023  

Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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