Electroretinogram in the diagnosis of endophthalmitis after intraocular lens implantation.

Abstract

To determine whether single flash electroretinograms can assist in the diagnosis of eyes with endophthalmitis after intraocular lens implantation. Sixteen eyes with postoperative endophthalmitis treated with vitrectomy or intraocular lens removal were studied. The preoperative electroretinogram findings, duration until the onset of endophthalmitis, culture results, and postoperative visual acuity were analyzed. Four eyes with a b-wave/a-wave (b/a) ratio less than 1.0 and early onset of endophthalmitis within 1 week had worse postoperative visual acuity (no light perception to 20/200) than the other 12 eyes (20/100 to 20/15) (P =.0035). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis were cultured in these 4 eyes. The combination of a b/a ratio less than 1.0 and early onset of endophthalmitis may indicate poor prognosis in a patient with postoperative endophthalmitis.