Bilateral Panophthalmitis: A rare and unique case.

PURPOSE

To describe a unique case of bilateral panophthalmitis in a 65-year-old male resulting in bilateral enucleation.

OBSERVATION

A 65-year-old man presented with a 10-year history of bilateral uveitis and scleritis, complicated by cataracts. He had undergone phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in both eyes, left corneal transplant and pars plana vitrectomy, all without improvement in his vision and pain. Due to complete loss of vision and severe pain in his both eyes, the patient underwent bilateral enucleation. Pathologic examination of both eyes revealed severe acute, chronic, and granulomatous inflammation with abundant scar formation. Multiple large pre-retinal, choroidal, and vitreal cavitary lesions in both eyes were filled with necrotic debris, containing both trophozoites and cysts. These findings were consistent with a well-developed, bilateral panophthalmitis.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE

This unique case represents the first ever reported bilateral panophthalmitis and illustrates the extreme complication of ocular infection.