Resolution of Isolated Subretinal Abscess with Systemic Antibiotic Treatment

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To describe clinical features and therapeutic management of a case of isolated subretinal abscess (SRA) in an immunocompetent male patient with no predisposing conditions or risk factors.

Methods

Clinical data, including medical history, clinical findings and results of systemic investigations, were retrospectively collected in a 40-year-old man diagnosed with unilateral focal SRA.

Results

Systemic investigations did not reveal any extraocular infective focus. Prompt diagnosis of SRA and aggressive systemic antibiotic treatment averted breakthrough into the vitreous cavity and led to clinical resolution with preservation of visual acuity. No local recurrences or distal spread of the infection were found at follow-up.

Conclusions

In isolated SRA, timely systemic antibiotic treatment can lead to an excellent clinical outcome. Close monitoring is essential to prevent potential progression of SRA to a sight-threatening endophthalmitis, which would prompt an urgent shift in the therapeutic approach.

KEYWORDS:

• Angiography
• endophthalmitis
• optical coherence tomography
• subretinal abscess
• systemic antibiotics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics statement

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient. This study adheres to the Declaration of Helsinki.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre based at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.