2M.D. Asistant, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Izmir/TURKEY
3M.D., Klinikum Konstanz, Belegabteilung für Augenheilkunde, Konstanz/GERMANY
4M.D. Professor, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Izmir/TURKEY Purpose: To report the incidence of acute postoperative endophthalmitis secondary to intravitreal injections.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of patients who were followed by a single retinal specialist and treated with intravitreal injections between January 2004 to May 2013. Patients who were referred from other clinics as endophthalmitis were not included.
Results: During the study interval, 3925 intravitreal injections were performed in 1054 eyes of 788 patients. The mean number of injection per eye was 3.72±3.43 (Range, 1-22). The mean age of the participants was 67.04±13.55 (Range, 5-94 years). 371 participants (47.1%) were female and 417 participants (52.9%) were male. Mean follow-up was 31.92±22.91 month (Range, 1-144 months). Four endophthalmitis cases were noted over the last 9 years. The overall incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.10% per injection (4 of 3925 injections) and 0.38% per eye (4 of 1054 eyes).
Conclusions: Endophthalmitis is a rare but serious complication that may occur after any intravitreal injection. To reduce its incidence, clinics should evaluate their own data and elucidate the risk factors.
Keywords : Endophthalmitis, intravitreal injection