Povidone iodine-infused pars plana vitrectomy for severe fungal endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE

Arthrographis kalrae is an opportunistic fungus that can cause a severe and atypical endophthalmitis. In limited studies, low-dose povidone iodine has been shown to be effective in treating fulminant bacterial endophthalmitis. In this case report, we describe the successful treatment of recalcitrant keratitis-associated endophthalmitis with intraocular povidone iodine during pars plana vitrectomy.

OBSERVATIONS

A patient with keratitis-associated endophthalmitis had persistent disease despite aggressive medical management. The infection resolved following pars plana vitrectomy with infusion of dilute povidone iodine. No toxicity was noted postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE

Povidone iodine-infused pars plana vitrectomy offers promise as a treatment for infectious endophthalmitis that fails medical management. This is the first report demonstrating eradication of fungal endophthalmitis using povidone iodine-infused pars plana vitrectomy.