Rising trends of endogenous Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Endogenous Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis (EKPE) is a well-known entity in South-East Asia. We demonstrate a range of differing clinical features and outcomes of EKPE, and highlight the increasing incidence of EKPE in major centres in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case study and case series in the hospital setting. PARTICIPANTS: Four cases of EKPE. METHODS: EKPE cases from 2005 to 2015 were identified through established endophthalmitis databases as well as hospital-based microbiological searches. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: EKPE cases were confirmed with positive K. pneumoniae intraocular samples. RESULTS: Rising trends of EKPE were noted in major centres in Australia. Six eyes of four patients with EKPE from January 2011 to December 2015 are reported. The mean age was 49 years (range 43-58 years). Two patients had bilateral involvement. There were systemic symptoms up to 10 days prior to ocular symptoms. The source of sepsis in all cases was a hepatic abscess. Two patients had diabetes mellitus. Five eyes had hypopyon panuveitis on presentation. All eyes underwent vitrectomy. The patient with the most delayed presentation underwent enucleation following globe perforation. Final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in one patient with bilateral EKPE was light perception (LP) only. The other three eyes had BCVA in at least one eye of 6/24 or better. CONCLUSIONS: EKPE is an emerging condition in Australia. Although rare, EKPE is a sight-threatening and potentially life-threatening emergency that can initially present to ophthalmologists. One should suspect EKPE in septic patients with a B-scan showing a vitreous or retinal abscess.

Paracentral acute middle maculopathy as a finding in patients with severe vision loss following phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

IMPORTANCE: Paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) diagnosed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with poor visual outcome post cataract surgery. BACKGROUND: Case series of severe vision loss due to PAMM after cataract surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Cases from five surgical centres in Victoria, Australia. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of cases with unexplained 'patch-off' vision loss post cataract surgery. All patients in our cohort had PAMM and presumed diagnosis of central or transient retinal artery occlusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A review of the patient histories focusing on pre-operative ocular and systemic vascular risk factors, anaesthetic and operative factors. RESULTS: Ten cases were included. All patients had 6/72 Snellen visual acuity or worse noted on day one post surgery. Three patients had features of central retinal artery occlusion consisting of retinal pallor with a 'cherry red' macula but absent relative afferent pupillary defect. Seven had no features of retinal pallor or attenuation of retinal arterioles. On SD-OCT, all eyes had evident PAMM. Six patients had a history of cardiovascular disease or blood dyscrasia. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: PAMM should be considered in patients with 'patch off' visual loss and absence of other fundal signs. We hypothesise that spasm or transient occlusion of central retinal artery leads to arterial hypoperfusion with subsequent ischaemia or infarction of the retina. Underlying arterial disease may have led to pre-existing hypoperfusion that may have been further compromised by raised intraocular pressure during the procedure itself or via raised orbital pressure from the anaesthesia.

Keeping an eye on syphilis

BACKGROUND: The objective of this article was to alert general practitioners (GPs) to the increase in ocular syphilis in the context of a worsening epidemic of syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: This study used a retrospective case review of ocular syphilis cases that presented to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital from January 2015 to August 2016. RESULTS: Twelve patients (19 eyes) were identified, including 11 males. The mean age was 35 years, and seven men were identified as MSM. Two men were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection at presentation. Blurred vision (n = 10) and/or floaters (n = 9) were the most common presenting symptoms. All patients had uveitis as the manifestation of the ocular involvement; however, redness and pain were not universally reported. DISCUSSION: GPs should be alert to the possibility of ocular syphilis at the time of syphilis diagnosis, particularly among MSM. Urgent ophthalmic referral is required if the patient is found to have new onset visual symptoms.