Chronic bacterial endophthalmitis.

We studied a specific syndrome of uveitis secondary to intraocular bacterial pathogens of low virulence after extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation in three eyes. The onset of photophobia, visual impairment, conjunctival redness, and uveitis was delayed for four days to 12 weeks after surgery. Chronic inflammation persisted for five weeks to 16 months before a definitive diagnosis was made. Signs and symptoms were suppressed by administration of topical and systemic corticosteroids. Intraocular biopsy and antibiotic injection both established the cause as bacterial endophthalmitis and resulted in resolution of signs and symptoms. Staphylococcus epidermidis was cultured in two eyes and Achromobacter was cultured in one.