Bacterial endophthalmitis associated with exposed monofilament sutures following corneal transplantation.

Three cases of bacterial endophthalmitis following corneal transplantation resulted from suture abscesses that were initiated by loose or broken exposed sutures. Histopathologic examination clearly demonstrated that the infection gained access to the anterior chamber by following a deeply placed suture that traversed the posterior wound gap at the donor-host interface. We believe that exposed sutures may lead to significant postoperative complications and must be carefully observed.