Is zero incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery achievable?

  • Miao Yunn Lim Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • Keith Ong Northern Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Department of Ophthalmology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Chatswood Private Hospital, Sydney, Australia; 5Sydney Adventist Hospital, Sydney, Australia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35119/asjoo.v18i1.918
Keywords: cataract surgery, endophthalmitis, prophylactic antibiotics

Abstract

Purpose: For over 10 years, there have been zero cases of postoperative endophthalmitis (POE) after cataract surgery at Chatswood Private Hospital (CPH), Sydney, Australia.

Study design: We conducted a retrospective audit study to evaluate the reasons for this, as well as the different preferences for route of antibiotic prophylaxis used.

Methods: Deidentified data on cataract surgery cases for 2010–2020 were extracted and analyzed descriptively.

Results: A total of 28,937 cataract surgery cases were performed at CPH from 2010-2020, for which no cases of POE were identified. The intracameral route for antibiotic prophylaxis was more commonly used compared to subconjunctival or both.

Conclusion: Administration of prophylactic antibiotics, regardless of the route of administration, is beneficial and equally effective in preventing POE. Having operating theatres dedicated to ophthalmology helps maintain high standards of sterility of instrumentation and operating environments.

References

Niyadurupola N, Astbury N. Endophthalmitis: controlling infection before and after cataract surgery. Community Eye Health. 2008;21(65):9.

Mamalis N, Kearsley L, Brinton E. Postoperative endophthalmitis. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2002;13(1):14-18.

Tan CS, Wong HK, Yang FP. Epidemiology of postoperative endophthalmitis in an Asian population: 11-year incidence and effect of intracameral antibiotic agents. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012;38(3):425-430.

Buzard K, Liapis S. Prevention of endophthalmitis. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2004;30(9):1953-1959.

Speaker MG, Menikoff JA. Prophylaxis of endophthalmitis with topical povidone-iodine. Ophthalmology. 1991;98(12):1769-1775.

Jenkins C, Tuft S, Sheraidah G, et al. Comparative intraocular penetration of topical and injected cefuroxime. Br J Ophthalmol. 1996;80(8):685-688.

Published
2021-07-29
How to Cite
Lim, M. Y., & Ong, K. (2021). Is zero incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery achievable?. Asian Journal of Ophthalmology, 18(1), 13-18. https://doi.org/10.35119/asjoo.v18i1.918
Issue
Vol 18 No 1 (2021): Asian Journal of Ophthalmology
Section
Brief Reports

Copyright (c) 2021 Miao Yunn Lim, Keith Ong

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