Microbiological Profile and Visual Recovery in Various Clinical Types of Endophthalmitis at a Tertiary Eye Care Hospital of Tamil Nadu, India: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Endophthalmitis is a serious, sight-threatening purulent inflammation of the intraocular cavities of the eyeball. It greatly affects vision and can lead to severe complications such as panophthalmitis. The prevalence of endophthalmitis varies from one place to another. Aim: To identify the various aetiological and predisposing factors that contribute to endophthalmitis and to assess the visual outcomes following medical intervention (intravitreal antibiotics only) and surgical intervention (both intravitreal antibiotics and pars plana vitrectomy). Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology at Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India between January 2023 and February 2023. Demographic and clinical data of patients diagnosed with endophthalmitis over a two year period from October 2020 to September 2022 were collected from the Medical Records Department of the Institution for analysis. A total of 50 case records were selected using convenience sampling. Demographic details such as age, gender, predisposing risk factors, visual acuity, microbiological profiles, treatment modalities, and final visual acuity were collected from the present study. Quantitative data was presented as Mean and Standard Deviation (SD), while qualitative data was presented as frequencies and percentages. Summary statistics were analysed using Microsoft Excel version 2018. Results: In present study, 29 (58%) were males and 21 (42%) were females, with the majority falling within the age group of 50-70 years. The mean age of the sample was 53.8±16.1 years. Postoperative causes accounted for 39 (78%) of the cases, with phacoemulsification surgery with foldable intraocular lens implantation being the leading cause in 23 (58.7%) cases. Culture positivity was observed in only 22 (44%) cases, with Staphylococcus (Staph) epidermidis as the major causative organism. The best visual acuity achieved was 6/12 for two patients. Conclusion: Postoperative endophthalmitis remains the most common cause of endophthalmitis. Additionally, patients who presented with better visual acuity had a better visual outcome after treatment. Therefore, patients should be educated about the early signs of endophthalmitis to ensure prompt medical attention and improve visual recovery