Orbital cellulitis and endophthalmitis after cataract surgery

: Orbital cellulitis with endophthalmitis is an extremely uncommon complication following ocular surgery. We report the case of 38 year-old man who developed orbital cellulitis and endophthalmitis after extracapsular extraction and posterior chamber implant placement for cataract secondary to radiotherapy. Phacoextraction was performed under general anaesthesia and was uneventful. Three days postoperatively, the patient was examined for a reduced visual acuity and lid swelling in the operated eye. Ocular examination has shown signs of endophthalmitis and orbital cellulitis, which was confirmed by a computed tomographic scan. Bacteriology cultures were positive for a Streptococcus pneumoniae. The ocular infection evolved towards phthisis bulbi with no light perception 45 days after surgery. Enucleation with orbital implant was performed.