Retinal Infection

What Is a Retinal Infection (Endophthalmitis)?

Endophthalmitis is an infection of the tissues or fluids inside the eyeball that can permanently damage the retina. It is a medical emergency that should be addressed as soon as possible. If you are experiencing the symptoms below, it is crucial to seek treatment immediately, as endophthalmitis can lead to blindness if left untreated.

Symptoms of Retinal Infection

The most common symptoms of endophthalmitis are:

• Eye pain that worsens after surgery, injection, or injury
• Eye redness
• White or yellow pus or discharge from the eyes
• Swollen or puffy eyelids
• Blurry vision
• Loss of vision

What Causes Retinal Infection?

There are two main types of endophthalmitis:

Exogenous Endophthalmitis – The most common type of endophthalmitis. It is caused by an infection outside of the body, such as bacteria or fungi, that get inside the eye. This can be a result of eye injuries or certain eye surgeries and procedures.

Endogenous Endophthalmitis – An infection that starts in another part of the body but eventually spreads to the eye, such as a urinary tract infection, bone infection, or blood infection.

Diagnosis

Your ophthalmologist will perform tests to diagnose your symptoms, including examining your eye and testing your vision. They will also ask you about recent surgeries, eye procedures or injuries, and may perform an ultrasound to identify any foreign objects in the eye.

If your ophthalmologist suspects an infection, an aqueous/vitreous tap will be conducted. This involves using a very fine needle to draw fluid out of your eye to send it to a laboratory for testing.

What Are the Treatment Options for Retinal Infections?

Treatment for endophthalmitis typically involves an injection of antibiotics or antifungal medicine into the eye. You may also receive a steroid to decrease swelling and inflammation caused by the infection. Serious infections may require vitrectomy surgery, during which the vitreous gel is removed from your eye and medicine is injected to treat the infection.