Endogenous Endophthalmitis A Complication of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Series

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To report six patients with endogenous endophthalmitis as a complication of COVID-19 infection.

Methods

A multicentric retrospective database review of patients with a diagnosis of endogenous endophthalmitis and a history of COVID-19 infection.

Results

Four of six patients were diabetics. All presented after an average duration of 40 days (Range 17–90 days) of COVID-19 infection. Two of six patients had bilateral involvement. Five of six patients had received intravenous corticosteroid for COVID-19. Two of six vitreous samples showed fungi (Candida and Bipolaris species), two showed bacteria (Staphylococcus species) and two samples were culture negative. Control of infection with good visual outcome in four out of eight eyes.

Conclusions

COVID-19 patients with a history of hospitalization and prolonged use of systemic corticosteroids and comorbidities, for example, diabetes mellitus have a high risk of endogenous endophthalmitis. A high index of clinical suspicion with timely intervention can salvage many eyes.

KEYWORDS:

• Endogenous endophthalmitis
• COVID-19
• immunocompromised
• corticosteroids

Abbreviations and acronyms

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Declaration of interest

The manuscript has been read and approved by all the authors, that the requirements for authorship as stated earlier in this document have been met, and that each author believes that the manuscript represents honest work.