Endophthalmitis following cataract surgery in Sweden.The 1998 national prospective survey

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Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the morbidity of postoperative endophthalmitis (POE) following cataract surgery in Sweden in 1998. Methods: Clinically presumed cases of POE were reported in a prospective survey in which all Swedish ophthalmic surgical units except one had agreed to participate. Data on intraocular cultures and visual outcomes at 3 months after infection were supplied. Surgical cases that became infected were identified in the Swedish National Cataract Register, thereby enabling screening for various putative risk factors. Results: The nationwide incidence of POE amounted to 58 cases out of 54 666 cataract operations, or 0.1% of surgical cases. The predominant aetiology was gram‐positive bacteria, which comprised 57% of the material. Acrylic intraocular lenses were found to decrease the risk of POE significantly in comparison to hydrogel and polymethylmethacrylate lenses. Conclusions: The incidence of POE after cataract surgery in Sweden is similar to that currently reported elsewhere in the developed world. We hope that continued registration of cases of POE in Sweden will shed light on the possible influences of various prophylactic measures and different intraocular lens materials on the development of postoperative infection.