Mycobacterium chelonae Scleral Abscess After Intravitreal Ranibizumab Injection.

PURPOSE

To report a case of Mycobacterium chelonae scleral abscess after an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab.

METHODS

A 54-year-old female received an intravitreal ranibizumab injection for diabetic macular edema. Two weeks postinjection, a scleral abscess developed at the injection site. The patient was treated with incision and drainage of the abscess, subconjunctival injection of amikacin, topical clarithromycin and amikacin, and oral clarithromycin.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks of treatment, the inflammation and infection resolved, and the patient returned to best-corrected preinjection visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection-site scleral abscesses are very rare and serious complications of intravitreal injections. Once the abscess is drained, it is possible to identify the organism and treat the infection with appropriate combination antibiotic therapy.