Endophthalmitis rates drop as vitrectomy use declines in eye surgery over 20 years

The rate of endophthalmitis after intraocular procedures has significantly decreased over the past 20 years, according to a study, which also noted there has been a notable decline in the use of prompt vitrectomy as the primary treatment for this condition.

The study analyzed data from over 5.8 million intraocular procedures, including surgeries for cataract removal, glaucoma, and retinal conditions. Of the more than 2.1 million patients included in the study, 4305 cases of endophthalmitis were identified, resulting in an overall infection rate of 0.07%. The annual rate of endophthalmitis fell from 0.20% in 2000 to 0.05% in 2022.

The findings also revealed a decrease in the use of prompt vitrectomy as the primary treatment for endophthalmitis. While nearly half of the cases in 2003 were treated with vitrectomy, by 2021, this approach was used in only 11.6% of cases.

Reference
VanderBeek BL, Chen Y, Tomaiuolo M, et al. Endophthalmitis Rates and Types of Treatments After Intraocular Procedures. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online August 01, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.2749