Propionibacterium acnes is a ubiquitous, gram-positive, anaerobic organism. Long thought to be a harmless commensal species, it has become implicated in ocular disease.
We report a P acnes orbital abscess that, to our knowledge, is the first reported case of a primary P acnes infection of the orbit in the ophthalmic literature.
Report of a Case.
—A 34-year-old woman underwent enucleation of her left eye for congenital glaucoma with implantation of a tantalum mesh implant at age 8 years. At 24 years of age she underwent a scleral patch graft procedure for implant exposure, and she did well until 3 years prior to presentation. During this period she experienced intermittent discomfort of her left orbit.On examination, the socket was lined with healthy-appearing conjunctiva. No discharge was present and no tenderness, although there was a "spongy" feel to the socket on digital palpation (Figure).The patient underwent removal of her