TWO CASES OF ACUTE ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT INJECTION.

Purpose: To present two cases of acute endophthalmitis after intravitreal dexamethasone implant injection and discuss the management of intravitreal implant-associated endophthalmitis.

Methods: Two patients, who underwent intravitreal dexamethasone implant injection for macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy in one and branch retinal vein occlusion in the other, were admitted with decreased vision, pain, and redness in their treated eyes, 3 days and 5 days after the injection, respectively. The clinical findings of both patients were consistent with acute endophthalmitis.

Results: After obtaining aqueous and vitreous samples, the patients were treated with intravitreal antibiotic injection and topical fortified antibiotics. Both patients revealed favorable clinical response and functional vision was recovered.

Conclusion: Intravitreal dexamethasone implant-associated endophthalmitis is an uncommon and a challenging situation. Intravitreal antibiotics may lead to favorable visual outcomes without the need for a pars plana vitrectomy and implant removal in selected cases.