Endophthalmitis Following Staphylococcal Sepsis in Renal Failure Patients

Endophthalmitis occurred three months following completion of therapy for documented staphylococcal septicemia in two patients on long-term hemodialysis. The idolent course of the endophthalmitis, and its excellent response to systemic and subconjunctival antibiotics and subconjunctival and topical corticosteroid therapy, suggest the possibility that the acute fulminating clinical course of metastatic bacterial endophthalmitis may be modified in this population of patients. The reason for this modified clinical picture is probably the immune incompetence associated with uremia, which favors both the development of metastatic endophthalmitis as well as altering its clinical presentation. While funduscopic examination is suggested in all dialysis patients with eye complaints, this procedure becomes mandatory following episodes of sepsis. ( Arch Intern Med 138:706-708, 1978)