Endophthalmitis Associated With XEN Stent Implantation

Am J Ophthalmol. 2023 Sep:253:37-43. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.04.006. Epub 2023 Apr 13.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to report the clinical characteristics, causative organisms, and treatment outcomes in patients presenting with endophthalmitis related to XEN stent implants.

Design: Retrospective, noncomparative consecutive case series.

Methods: Clinical and microbiologic review was performed for 8 patients presenting to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Emergency Room between 2021 and 2022 with XEN stent-related endophthalmitis. Data collected included clinical characteristics of patients at presentation, organisms identified in ocular cultures, treatments received, and visual acuity at last follow-up.

Results: The current study included 8 eyes from 8 patients. All cases of endophthalmitis occurred >30 days after implantation of the XEN stent. At the time of presentation, there were external exposures of the XEN stent in 4 of 8 patients. Five of the 8 patients had positive intraocular cultures, all of which were variants of staphylococcus and streptococcus species. Management included intravitreal antibiotics in all patients, explantation of the XEN stent in 5 patients (62.5%), and pars plana vitrectomy in 6 patients (75%). At last follow-up, 6 of the 8 patients (75%) had a visual acuity of hand motion or worse.

Conclusions: Endophthalmitis in the setting of XEN stents results in poor visual outcomes. The most common causative organisms are staphylococcus or streptococcus species. At time of diagnosis, prompt treatment with broad-spectrum intravitreal antibiotics is recommended. Consideration can be made to explant the XEN stent and perform early pars plana vitrectomy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Endophthalmitis* / diagnosis
  • Endophthalmitis* / drug therapy
  • Endophthalmitis* / etiology
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stents / adverse effects
  • Vitrectomy / adverse effects
  • Vitreous Body / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents