The Endophthalmitis Study
The Endophthalmitis Study
Endophthalmitis is a serious complication of cataract surgery that every ophthalmic surgeon – and patient – strives to avoid. The visual loss and debilitation that occur in a large proportion of postoperative endophthalmitis cases can be severe and irreversible.
Those most in need of the operation are often those at greatest risk, such as the elderly. Without knowing exactly how, when or why to intervene with effective prophylactic measures, virtually every surgeon today follows a standard of care that involves antisepsis and antibiotics.
Although cataract surgery ranks among the most frequently performed surgical procedures worldwide, data to define the most effective prophylactic measures have been nearly impossible to generate, given the large patient numbers needed to conduct clinical trials. Prevention and elimination of postoperative endophthalmitis, however, is a constant goal of every ophthalmic surgeon.
The clinical practice of administering a direct intracameral injection of cefuroxime at the close of cataract surgery to reduce endophthalmitis rates was first implemented by a group of Swedish surgeons. The clinical benefit of this intervention seemed apparent.
In order to test the hypothesis in a scientific manner, the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons mounted a large randomized clinical trial to evaluate the intracameral injection in a prospective, randomized fashion across nine European countries.
Results published in 2007 unequivocally demonstrated a clinical benefit, with a five-fold reduction in postoperative endophthalmitis rates in patients who received a 1mg intracameral injection of cefuroxime at the close of cataract surgery.
In the wake of these results, a growing number of centres have adopted this method of prophylaxis, reporting even more striking effects, on occasion, than the ESCRS study itself.
Project leader
Peter Barry
Ireland
Status
PROJECT COMPLETE
Endophthalmitis Videos
EyeContact Interview: The Benefits of Intracameral Cefuroxime
iLearn Interactive Course: Prevention and management of endophthalmitis
Instructional Course: Endophthalmitis after cataract surgery & intravitreal injections
ESCRS Endophthalmitis Study - which is more important, hydrophobic/hydrophilic or silicone/acrylic?
Endophthalmitis following cataract surgery - Today and tomorrow
The ESCRS endophthalmitis study: Micro and molecular biology and visual results
Endophthalmitis: Just another complication?
