Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis involves inflammation of the intraocular cavities, usually caused by an infection. Noninfectious (sterile) endophthalmitis may be a result of retained lens material and toxic agents. Panophthalmitis is inflammation of all coats of the eye including intraocular structures.

The 2 types of endophthalmitis are endogenous (ie, metastatic) and exogenous. Endogenous endophthalmitis results from the hematogenous spread of organisms from a distant source of infection (eg, endocarditis). Exogenous endophthalmitis results from direct inoculation as a complication of ocular surgery, foreign bodies, or blunt or penetrating ocular trauma.