Etiological Patterns of Acute Infective Endophthalmitis at a Tertiary Care Centre in North India
Abstract
Background: Acute infective endophthalmitis is a vision-threatening ocular emergency with varied etiologies and clinical presentations. Understanding regional etiological patterns is important for early diagnosis and referral.
Objective: To describe the etiological patterns of acute infective endophthalmitis presenting to a tertiary eye care centre in North India.
Methods: This prospective observational study included patients diagnosed with acute infective endophthalmitis. Data regarding etiology, mode of presentation, duration of symptoms, and presenting visual acuity were analysed descriptively.
Results: Post-operative endophthalmitis was the most common etiology (42.9%), followed by post-traumatic endophthalmitis. Most patients presented within one week of symptom onset, although delayed presentation was common in traumatic cases. The majority of eyes had poor presenting visual acuity at the time of referral.
Conclusion: Post-operative and post-traumatic endophthalmitis remain the predominant forms of acute infective endophthalmitis in this region. Delayed presentation and severe disease at presentation highlight the need for early recognition and timely referral.
This descriptive analysis highlights real-world patterns of disease presentation encountered at a tertiary referral centre and reflects challenges related to delayed referral and advanced intraocular inflammation at first contact.
Background: Acute infective endophthalmitis is a vision-threatening ocular emergency with varied etiologies and clinical presentations. Understanding regional etiological patterns is important for early diagnosis and referral.
Objective: To describe the etiological patterns of acute infective endophthalmitis presenting to a tertiary eye care centre in North India.
Methods: This prospective observational study included patients diagnosed with acute infective endophthalmitis. Data regarding etiology, mode of presentation, duration of symptoms, and presenting visual acuity were analysed descriptively.
Results: Post-operative endophthalmitis was the most common etiology (42.9%), followed by post-traumatic endophthalmitis. Most patients presented within one week of symptom onset, although delayed presentation was common in traumatic cases. The majority of eyes had poor presenting visual acuity at the time of referral.
Conclusion: Post-operative and post-traumatic endophthalmitis remain the predominant forms of acute infective endophthalmitis in this region. Delayed presentation and severe disease at presentation highlight the need for early recognition and timely referral.
This descriptive analysis highlights real-world patterns of disease presentation encountered at a tertiary referral centre and reflects challenges related to delayed referral and advanced intraocular inflammation at first contact.
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