Endophthalmitis

- Intraocular infection of the vitreous, aqueous humor, or both.

- Inflammation of the vitreous is an urgent and severe ocular infection (ocular pain, decreased vision, headache, photophobia, hazy cornea, eyelid swelling, conjunctival injection, decreased red reflex and hypopyon).

- Refer to an ophthalmologist immediately.

- Anterior chamber tap and vitreous biopsy for culture should be performed prior to initiating therapy.

- Intravitreal administration of antimicrobials is essential (intravitreal ophthalmic preparations are not commercially available; manufactured by pharmacy).

- Intracameral injections (into the aqueous) also may be given when there is significant aqueous involvement.