Endophthalmitis/Panophthalmitis
Endophthalmitis is inflammation of the internal structures of the eye, whereas panophthalmitis is inflammation of both internal ocular structures and external structures, including orbital tissues. The inflammatory process may be sterile or infectious.
Infectious agents may cause endophthalmitis or panophthalmitis by hematogenous spread, when the eye is not the primary site of infection but one of multiple affected structures, as in FIP or blastomycosis, or by exogenous spread, most commonly after penetrating trauma, corneal ulcer perforation, or as a complication of ocular surgery. Inflammation of individual ocular structures, such as anterior or posterior uveitis, may also spread to involve all ocular structures.
The clinical presentation is dominated by acute pain, blepharospasm, episcleral and conjunctival injection, corneal edema and neovascularization, hypopyon, hyphema, and periocular swelling. Vision is markedly reduced or the patient is completely blind.
Treatment
To determine the cause, a complete blood count and biochemical profile are performed, together with anterior chamber or vitreous centesis for cytologic examination and attempted isolation of the causative organism. Antibiotics may be administered topically, intraocularly, and systemically, together with systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Enucleation is often necessary.
Panophthalmitis in a Pug puppy. Panophthalmitis developed as a consequence of corneal ulcer perforation.
Globe after surgical removal, showing the intraocular contents.
Adapted from the Atlas of Ocular Diseases in Dogs and Cats by Dr. Siniša D. Grozdanić and colleagues. © Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa. The text and clinical images on this page are original content from the authors' own clinical practice and research, and may not be reproduced, distributed, or repurposed without permission.
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