STUDY RESULTS ON ENDOPHTHALMITIS RATES AND TYPES OF TREATMENTS AFTER INTRAOCULAR PROCEDURES

PHILADELPHIA, August 12, 2024 – A new research paper from Wills Eye Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania shows a 75% reduction in cases of post-procedure endophthalmitis over two decades. Endophthalmitis is a sight-threatening post-operative infection that causes inflammation and exudation of intraocular fluids. Long-term trend analyses of endophthalmitis rates and treatment patterns are scarce, making this study and its findings an important tool for ophthalmologists.

Understanding how frequently endophthalmitis happens and how its treated is vital to continuously improving methods of eye care and positive outcomes for patients. The objective of the study was to determine if the rate of endophthalmitis after intraocular procedures or the primary treatment for endophthalmitis has changed over the past two decades. More than 5.8 million intraocular procedures over 22 years were analyzed and 4,305 cases of endophthalmitis found. In 2000 the endophthalmitis rate was at a high of 0.20% and by 2022 it had dropped to 0.05%.

“These findings highlight the substantial decrease in the incidence of this severe sight threatening post- surgical complication over time, reflecting advances in surgical and peri- surgical care,” said Leslie G. Hyman, PhD, Vice Chair for Research of the Vickie and Jack Farber Vision Research Center at Wills Eye Hospital. “In addition, the decline in treatment with prompt vitrectomy over time suggests better understanding of outcomes from the different current treatment approaches is needed to optimize patient management.”

Vitrectomy, a surgery to remove and replace some or all of the eye’s vitreous, is commonly used in cases of endophthalmitis. Despite prompt surgery being the better evidence-based option for endophthalmitis patients, it was observed that this guideline is not regularly followed. In fact, prompt vitrectomy is being used less frequently as primary treatment than in the past, having decreased by 3.8% per year throughout the study period. The paper emphasizes the need for additional work to evaluate the reason behind the change in condition management and clinical impact the reduction in use of prompt vitrectomy has on outcomes.

Contributors to this research include Brian L. VanderBeek, MD MPH MSCE and Yineng Chen from the Department of Ophthalmology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA and Maurizio Tomaiuolo, PhD, Jordan D. Deaner, MD, Zeba A. Syed, MD, Binod Acharya, MS Qiang Zhang, PhD Joel S. Schuman, MD, and Leslie Hyman, PhD from the Vickie and Jack Farber Vision Research Center, Wills Eye Hospital and Department of Ophthalmology, Thomas Jefferson University.

Read the full paper here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2821942

About Wills Eye Hospital
Wills Eye Hospital is a global leader in ophthalmology, established in 1832 as the nation's first hospital specializing in eye care. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Wills Eye as one of America's top ophthalmology Hospitals since the survey began, has the most nationally ranked ophthalmologists in the country and is among the top academic training programs in the U.S. for its residency program as voted by physicians in the nation. Wills Eye is a premier training site for all levels of medical education. Its resident and postgraduate training programs are among the most competitive in the country. The Vickie and Jack Farber Vision Research Center at Wills harnesses the core strengths of Wills, the close connection between innovative research and advanced patient care, to discover therapeutic breakthroughs. Wills provides the full range of primary and subspecialty eye care for improving and preserving sight, including cataract and primary eye care, cornea, emergency care, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular oncology, oculoplastics, pathology, pediatric ophthalmology, refractive surgery, retina, and strabismus. Ocular Services include the Wills Laser Correction Center and Diagnostic Center. Its 24/7 Emergency Service is the only one of its kind in the region. Wills Eye also has a network of six multi-specialty, ambulatory surgery centers throughout the Tri-State area.

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