[Skip to Navigation]
Observation
May 2015

Endogenous Endophthalmitis With Iris Abscess After Routine Dental Cleaning

Author Affiliations
  • 1Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
  • 2Department of Ophthalmology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
  • 3Division of Pathology/Microbiology, Albany Memorial Hospital, Albany, New York
JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015;133(5):616-617. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.12

We present a case of endogenous endophthalmitis involving only the anterior segment in the form of an iris abscess after a routine dental cleaning in an immunocompetent patient.

On March 13, 2014, a woman in her 50s presented to our clinic with 4 days of blurry vision and pain in her left eye after undergoing a routine dental cleaning 1 week prior. She had no history of gingival disease or cavities. Her medical and ocular histories were unremarkable.

On examination, the patient’s visual acuity was 20/25 OD and 20/50 OS. Her intraocular pressures were 15 mm Hg OD and 11 mm Hg OS. Findings from anterior segment examination of the left eye were significant for conjunctival hyperemia, faint keratic precipitates, 3+ cells with fibrin in the anterior chamber, mild nuclear sclerosis, and the appearance of a whitish focal granuloma at the 4-o’clock position at the pupillary margin (Figure 1A). The posterior segment was unremarkable, with no evidence of vitritis, retinitis, or vasculitis. The right eye was unremarkable.

Add or change institution
×