Bacterial endophthalmitis following cutting of sutures after cataract surgery.

Bacterial endophthalmitis developed in four patients after cataract surgery sutures were cut. Wound dehiscence was present in three cases, but in one the wound remained intact. Vitreous cultures identified Streptococcus viridans in two cases and Staphylococcus aureus and St. epidermidis in one case each. Antibiotic therapy was administered by intraocular, periocular, topical and systemic routes and three patients underwent vitrectomy. Visual function recovered to 20/50 in two cases and to 20/100 in a third. Retinal detachment in the fourth case resulted in loss of all visual function.