Paediatric post-traumatic endophthalmitis.

AIMS A retrospective analysis of children with post-traumatic endophthalmitis was performed to determine if microbiological differences exist between this disease in the paediatric population compared with this disease in adults. METHOD Twelve cases of post-traumatic endophthalmitis in children were analysed to determine characteristics of this disease in youth. Patient ages varied from 18 months to 13 years; the mean age was 8 years. Gram positive organisms were isolated in eight eyes, Gram negative organisms from four eyes, fungus from one eye, and negative cultures in three eyes. The most common isolates were streptococcal species (56.6%) and staphylococcal species (22.2%). Vitrectomy was performed on eight (66.7%) eyes. RESULTS Visual acuity of 20/200 or better was obtained in eight eyes (66.7%). Three eyes had vision less than 5/200. One eye developed phthisis bulbi. Nine (75%) patients were younger than 10 years of age, and six (66.7%) of these nine obtained a final visual acuity of 20/200 or better. CONCLUSION Useful vision can be obtained in children with post-traumatic endophthalmitis with early, aggressive treatment. The microbiology of paediatric post-traumatic endophthalmitis differs from adult disease with streptococcal species as the most common infecting organisms.