Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis in Ahmed glaucoma valve.

PURPOSE: To report a case of Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis in a patient with an Ahmed glaucoma valve.

CASE REPORT: A nine-year-old boy with bilateral congenital glaucoma, with an Ahmed glaucoma valve implanted in the left eye, had recurrent conjunctival dehiscence and endophthalmitis.

RESULTS

Vitreous cultures demonstrated the presence of Propionibacterium acnes.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first reported case of Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis in an Ahmed glaucoma valve and the second one in a glaucoma drainage device. We strongly recommend using a patch graft to prevent and treat tube exposure. Conjunctival grafts may be useful to close the conjunctiva when there is marked scarring to prevent patch exposure and melting or extrusion.