Clinical characteristics and visual outcomes in endophthalmitis after keratoprosthesis implantation.

PURPOSE To describe the presentation, microbiology, management, and prognosis of eyes with endophthalmitis following Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation. METHODS Retrospective case series with history, diagnostics, management, and outcomes data in endophthalmitis following KPro implantation presenting to a tertiary center between 2009 and 2020. RESULTS Of 137 KPro-implanted eyes, 7 eyes of 7 patients (5%) developed endophthalmitis. On presentation, 6 (86%) reported decreased visual acuity (VA), and only 1 (14%) reported pain. Peripheral corneal ulcers were present in 2 eyes (29%). Seidel testing was negative in all cases. Six eyes (86%) had retroprosthetic membranes. One (14%) underwent initial pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with mechanical vitreous biopsy, whereas 6 (86%) received a needle vitreous tap-half of which were dry. Organisms were isolated following vitreous tap in 2 eyes: Streptococcus intermedius and Mycobacterium abscessus. Mean VA pre-endophthalmitis, at presentation, and at 6 months were 20/267, 20/5944, and 20/734, respectively. VA improved 9.08 ± 11.78 ETDRS lines from presentation to 6 months. Six-month VA was correlated with pre-endophthalmitis VA (r=0.92, p=0.003) but not presenting VA (p=0.838). CONCLUSION Visual acuity at 6 months is correlated with pre-endophthalmitis VA, not presenting VA. Endophthalmitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of painless intraocular inflammation any time after KPro implantation, even if Seidel negative.