Role of prophylactic intravitreal antibiotics in open globe injuries.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of prophylactic intravitreal antibiotics in reducing the incidence of endophthalmitis after trauma. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomised, case control study of 70 consecutive patients with open globe injury. The patients were prospectively randomised into group I (32 eyes) and group II (38 eyes). Group I patients were given prophylactic intravitreal injection of vancomycin 1 mg and ceftazidime 2.25 mg at the conclusion of primary repair. Group II patients were not given prophylactic intravitreal antibiotics. All the patients received intravenous ciprofloxacin. RESULTS: The incidence of endophthalmitis was higher in group II (7 of 38 eyes; 18.42%) compared to group I (2 of 32 eyes; 6.25%). Both the patients who developed endophthalmitis despite prophylactic intravitreal antibiotics in group I had an initially undetected intraocular foreign body (eyelash) in the vitreous cavity. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic intravitreal broad spectrum antibiotic injection decreases the risk of post-traumatic endophthalmitis.