Fungal endophthalmitis following intraocular lens implantation. A surgical epidemic
T. H. Pettit, R. J. Olson, R. Y. Foos and W. J. Martin
Thirteen cases of fungal endophthalmitis were caused by Paecilomyces
lilacinus. In all cases an intraocular lens was inserted that had been
sterilized in sodium hydroxide and neutralized in sodium bicarbonate. In 12
of the 13 cases, it was absolutely determined that a manufacturer's lot 128
was the neutralizing solution used. The same fungus that caused the
endophthalmitis was cultured from several of the neutralizing solutions
from lot 128. Eight of the 13 eyes eventually required enucleation. Of the
remaining five eyes, one eventually recovered 20/25 vision, one recovered
20/80 vision, one had light perception, and two lost light perception (one
of these became phthisical). This surgically induced epidemic of fungal
endophthalmitis clearly shows the major consequences of a breakdown in
quality control for any substance or material used intraocularly.
