Outbreaks of postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis caused by intrinsically contaminated ophthalmic solutions--Thailand, 1992, and Canada, 1993.

Endophthalmitis is the syndrome of inflammation or infection of the ocular cavity and its adjacent structures and can result in severe sequelae, such as visual loss. Although most postoperative endophthalmitis following intraocular surgery is caused by infection with normal skin flora, cases associated with the intraoperative use of contaminated eye solutions or materials have been reported. This report summarizes outbreaks of postoperative bacterial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Bacillus spp.) endophthalmitis in Thailand and Canada; the outbreaks were associated with the intraoperative use of intrinsically contaminated basal salt solution (BSS) and hyaluronic acid.