Combination intravenous ceftazidime and aminoglycosides in the treatment of pseudomonal scleritis.

BACKGROUND

Pseudomonal scleritis is a serious and potentially blinding infection that usually is resistant to medical management.

METHODS

Results for three patients with pseudomonal scleritis who were treated with both topical anti-infectives and a combination of intravenous ceftazidime and aminoglycoside are presented in this case series.

RESULTS

All three patients had a rapid response to the addition of combination intravenous drug therapy to topical therapy; eradication of the infection and healing of the ocular surface occurred within 8 weeks. Only one patient, in whom cystoid macular edema developed, lost useful vision as a result of the infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination therapy with intravenous ceftazidime and aminoglycoside may be more effective than single-intravenous agents when used in addition to topical antibiotics and may obviate the need for adjunctive surgical procedures, such ascryotherapy, surgical extirpation, or conjunctival recession.