Two Cases of Recurrent Enterococcus Faecalis Endophthalmitis after Cataract Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of recurrent Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) endophthalmitis after uneventful phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. CASE SUMMARY: Case 1: A healthy, 75-year-old female presented with a sudden visual loss and ocular pain 2 days after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. After successful treatment with intravitreal antibiotics injection, the infection was apparently cleared. At 1 month after the initial presentation, recurrent endophthalmitis occurred and was resolved with vitrectomy, silicon oil tamponade, and intravitreal antibiotics injection. Two months after vitrectomy, the silicone oil was removed and the patient's final visual acuity improved to 20/400 5 months later. Case 2: A healthy, 74-year-old female presented with a sudden visual loss 2 days after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. After successful treatment with intravitreal antibiotics injection, the infection was apparently cleared. One month later, recurrent endophthalmitis occurred and was resolved with vitrectomy, posterior capsulotomy, and intravitreal antibiotics injection. Forty days later, the patient had a similar relapse. The infection resolved with IOL explantation, silicon oil tamponade, and repeated intravitreal antibiotics injections. E. faecalis was identified at the first and recurrent episode. Vancomycin and ceftazidime were used for each intravitreal administration. Silicone oil removal and IOL scleral fixation were performed and the patient's final visual acuity was 20/40 5 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Close monitoring for recurrences is recommended in endophthalmitis due to E. faecalis after phacoemulsification even after a successful initial treatment.