Mass Eye and Ear researchers led by Humberto Salazar, MD, set out to describe the clinical features, microbiological spectrum, and treatment patterns of glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) endophthalmitis, which occurs in 1% to 6% of GDI-treated eyes. Over an almost 6-year period from 2014 to 2020, the researchers identified 29 eyes infected with GDI-related endophthalmitis. Most cases involved nonvalved GDIs; a superotemporal location; more than 1 intraocular surgery; and tube, plate, or suture exposure. Tap/inject was the most common initial procedure, but most eyes eventually required surgery, including GDI removal.

Endophthalmitis presented at a mean of 23 months following GDI implantation and as a result of a GDI complication. The most common organism in the 17 culture-positive cases was Serratia marcescens. Final VA of less than 20/200 occurred in 69% (n=20) of the cases, with 4 eyes needing to be enucleated and many left with counting fingers VA or worse. The researchers concluded that outcomes of GDI-related endophthalmitis remain poor and that better methods of treatment and prevention are needed. This research was presented as a poster at the 2021 American Glaucoma Society virtual meeting.