Management Patterns and Visual Outcomes of Endophthalmitis After Glaucoma Drainage Device Placement: A Case Series.

PURPOSE

To describe clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of eyes with endophthalmitis related to glaucoma drainage device (GDD) placement.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with GDD-related endophthalmitis at Duke Eye Center from 2009 to 2018.

RESULTS

Six eyes of 6 patients had endophthalmitis related to a GDD (2 Ahmed, 4 Baerveldt). The mean time from surgery to presentation was 22.7 months. Five of 6 cases (83%) had culture-proven infectious endophthalmitis. Eyes undergoing GDD explantation (n=2) had better visual acuity at 6 months compared with those without hardware removal (20/11,314 vs. 20/358). Visual acuity at 6 months was hand motion (20/8000) or worse in 3 of 6 cases (50%).

CONCLUSIONS

GDD-related endophthalmitis often leads to poor visual outcomes. Hardware removal may lead to improved visual outcomes; a multicenter prospective study assessing the benefit of hardware removal may be warranted.