Adult

Endophthalmitis

Guideline for Ophthalmology use only. 

Sight threatening disease. Refer to Ophthalmology and Micro/ID. 

Microbiological sampling of vitreous recommended. 

Endogenous - associated with bacteraemia and/or endocarditis. Blood cultures x 3 sets before antibiotics.  

Exogenous - post surgery/trauma or bleb related. See Bleb-related endophthalmitis

Treat according to sensitivity test results 

Suspected Bacterial Endophthalmitis (without penetration)

Preferred (including penicillin allergy): 

Tap and inject Intravitreal vancomycin 2mg in 0.1 ml  stat AND intravitreal ceftazidime 2mg in 0.1 ml stat 

PLUS

moxifloxacin* 400mg po (or iv if NBM) od

*Ensure that the patient is given the Fluoroquinolone MHRA patient information leaflet. Fluoroquinolones, including moxifloxacin are associated with disabling and potentially long-lasting or irreversible side effects. See Fluoroquinolone antibiotics - severe adverse effects. 

 

Consider prescribing the following after gram stain is back or on advice of uveitis team:  

prednisolone 1mg/kg po od (max 60mg/day)  (start the next day unless contraindicated systemically) - DO NOT START ORAL STEROID IF FUNGAL ENDOPHTHALMITIS IS SUSPECTED 

WITH OR WITHOUT

chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops qds (5-10 days) 

PLUS

dexamethasone 0.1% eye drops hourly until review  

PLUS

cyclopentolate 1% eye drops tds  

If the above antibiotics are not suitable, contact Micro/ID for alternatives.

Suspected Bacterial Endophthalmitis (with penetration)

Speak to Micro/ID. 

Fungal Endophthalmitis

If any lesion in the vitreous  

Vitrectomy (do not bother tap and inject) within 48 hours of presentation  

AND  

Intravitreal voriconazole (50 micrograms/0.1ml) 

AND 

fluconazole 400 mg po stat then 200 mg BD  

  • Consider changing to oral voriconazole if not responding or filamentous fungi from culture or suspected.  

 

If no vitreous involvement but retina involvement  

Tap and inject with Intravitreal voriconazole (50 micrograms/0.1ml) 

AND  

fluconazole 400 mg po stat then 200 mg BD 

  • Reassess at 48 hours and if any features of vitreous involvement consider vitrectomy and re-inject. 

 

If no vitreous or retinal involvement (only choroidal involvement only) 

fluconazole 400 mg po stat then 200 mg BD 

 

The ocular injectable monograph for intravitreal voriconazole can be found HERE

Viral Endophthalmitis

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 01 Jul 2024