The results of pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade for endophthalmitis after intravitreal injections.

To report the role of early vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade in acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection. Medical records of eight patients who presented with acute endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of different drugs were retrospectively reviewed. Initial treatment consisted of vitreous tap with cultures and injection of intravitreal antibiotics, with the patients subsequently undergoing pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade within 24 h following initial vitreous tap. The mean time to presentation was 1.7 days (1-3 days). The initial best-corrected visual acuity was hand motion to 0.05 before treatment and 0.05-0.8 (Snellen) after treatment. Vitreous cultures were obtained from all patients, of which four were culture positive. Endophthalmitis was controlled in all patients. There was no retinal detachment or phthisis bulbi during the follow-up period (1-4 years). Acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection occurs rapidly and requires urgent treatment. If intravitreal antibiotics fail to control inflammation, early pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade would be an appropriate option.