AN OUTBREAK OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA ENDOPHTHALMITIS FOLLOWING CATARACT SURGERY: A CASE SERIES AND LESSONS LEARNED

This case series presents five immunocompetent patients who underwent cataract surgery at a private center and developed acute postoperative endophthalmitis, a serious ocular infection. All patients presented with severe eye pain, decreased vision, and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) on the 2nd day post-surgery; one patient presented 15 days later. Following their surgeries, they were prescribed prednisone acetate and moxifloxacin, both to be taken every 2 hours. Their visual acuity at presentation was light perception (LP). Immediate interventions included a vitreous tap and administration of intravitreal antibiotics. Despite these urgent interventions, the outcomes varied among the patients. In the short term, no significant improvement in visual acuity was noted; all patients continued to experience severely limited vision. The long-term consequences were grave: three of the five patients eventually underwent further surgical interventions, including pars plana vitrectomy and finally evisceration due to the severity of the infection and persistent inflammation. Ultimately, these interventions did not restore vision significantly, and the patients were left with evisceration. This underscores the aggressive nature of the infection and the challenges in managing such severe cases of endophthalmitis.

The endophthalmitis outbreak underscores the necessity for stringent infection control and diligent surgical practice adherence. Effective strategies, including rigorous sterilization, enhanced pre-operative screening, and staff education, are paramount. This case series highlights the critical need for swift detection and response to prevent severe complications and ensure patient safety. Continuous improvement in clinical protocols and surveillance is essential to mitigate future risks in ophthalmic surgeries.