Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science,

March 15, 1997, Vol. 38. No. 4

Thursday 10:30 AM -12:30 PM: Endophthalmitis: Clinical; Experimental

Poster Presentation, Hall A

5175 – B682

INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANTS AND POSTOPERATIVE

ENDOPHTHALMITIS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

((M Teimory, H Tabandeh, JWB Bainbridge, C K Rostron))

St George's Hospital, London SW17 0QT

Correspondence to Mr Teimory

KEYWORDS: Cataract surgery, intraocular lenses, endophthalmitis

ABSTRACT

Purpose:  A retrospective case-controlled study has suggested an association between the use of three-piece silicone polypropylene intraocular lenses and an increased risk of postoperative endophthalmitis.  Confirmation of this association by further studies is required before firm conclusions can be reached and recommendations for practice can be made.  We investigated whether our own experience with this type of intraocular lens confirms such an association.

Methods:  A retrospective analysis of 1817 patients undergoing cataract surgery in a single unit over a three year period was conducted to compare the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis associated with silicone polypropylene intraocular lenses associated with single piece polymethylmethacrylate lenses.

Results:  Of the 151 patients who received silicone polypropylene intraocular lenses, 6 (3.97%) developed endophthalmitis.  The remaining 1667 patients received polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) lenses.  Of these, only 1 patient (0.06%) developed endophthalmitis.  The relative risk of postoperative endophthalmitis associated with the use of the three piece silicone-polypropylene lens compared to the one piece PMMA lens was 66.2.  Using Fisher’s Exact Test the association was found to be highly significant (P<0.0001).

Conclusion:  Possible mechanisms to explain the risk of postoperative endophthalmitis associated with silicone polypropylene lenses are discussed.  On the basis of our findings we agree with the recommendations advising against the routine use of three piece silicone-polypropylene intraocular lenses where an alternative is available.

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