Aims To estimate the incidence of acuteonset presumed infectious endophthalmitis (PIE) following cataract surgery in the UK and provide epidemiological data on the presentation, management, microbiology, and outcome of cases of endophthalmitis. Methods Cases were identified prospectively by active surveillance through the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit reporting card system, for the 12-month period October 1999 to September 2000 inclusive. Questionnaire data were obtained from ophthalmologists throughout the UK at baseline and 6 months after diagnosis. Under-reporting was estimated by independently contacting units with infection databases. Results Data were available on 213 patients at baseline and 201 patients at follow-up. The minimum estimated incidence of PIE was 0.086 per 100 cataract extractions and the corrected incidence was 0.14 per 100 cataract extractions. For the management of PIE, 96% of patients received intravitreal, 30% subconjunctival, 65% oral, and 17% intravenous antibiotics. In all, 17% of patients received intravitreal steroid. From the intraocular samples taken for microbiological analysis, 56% were culture positive. At followup, 48% of patients achieved visual acuity of 6/ 12 or better and 66% achieved better than 6/60. 13% of patients were unable to perceive light or had evisceration of the globe. Conclusions The incidence of PIE after cataract surgery in the UK is comparable to that of other studies. Approximately 50% of patients achieved a visual acuity close to the driving standard.

Aims: To study the incidence, management, and outcomes of suprachoroidal haemorrhage (SCH) complicating cataract surgery in the United Kingdom. Methods: Cases were prospectively collected by active surveillance through the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit. Details were obtained using an incident questionnaire with follow up at 6 months. Results: 118 cases were reported in 1 year. The estimated incidence of SCH was 0.04% (95% confidence interval 0.034% to 0.050%). Cataract extractions were by phacoemulsification in 76.2%, extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) in 11.0%, and phacoemulsification conversion in 12.8%. SCH was ''limited'' (1 to 2 quadrants) in 48.7%, ''full blown'' (3 to 4 quadrants) in 43.1%. SCH in phacoemulsification was more likely to be limited (63.2%), compared with ECCE (11.1%) and phacoemulsification conversion (23.1%) (p,0.001, x 2 test). Visual acuity (VA) was better than 6/60 in 57 of 95 (60%) cases after a median follow up interval of 185 days. 33 of 34 cases (97.1%) with secondary anterior segment revision had VA better than 6/60. VA was worse than 6/60 in 7 of 8 (87.5%) cases that had intraoperative sclerostomy, and in all 6 (100%) cases that had secondary posterior segment intervention. Conclusion: SCH is a rare but serious complication of cataract surgery. Poor prognostic factors included full blown SCH, ECCE, phacoemulsification conversion, retinal apposition, and retinal detachment.

Background/aims This is the first nationwide prospective study to investigate the incidence and risk factors of endophthalmitis following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Methods This was a prospective, nationwide casecontrol study. Cases of presumed infectious endophthalmitis within 6 weeks of PPV were reported via the established British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit. The surveillance period was 2 years. Controls (patients who had PPV but no endophthalmitis) were recruited from nine randomly selected UK centres. Results 37 reports were received and 28 cases met the diagnostic criteria for presumed infectious endophthalmitis following PPV. The incidence of endophthalmitis following PPV was 28 cases per 48 433 PPVs (1 in 1730 with a 95% CI of 1 in 1263 to 1 in 2747). 272 controls were randomly recruited from nine UK centres. Smaller gauge port sizes were not found to be a risk. Immunosuppression (OR 19.0, p=0.001) and preoperative topical steroids (OR 131.4, p<0.001) increased the endophthalmitis risk. Operating for retinal detachment was associated with a reduced risk of endophthalmitis (OR 0.10, p=0.005). Conclusions Endophthalmitis following PPV is rare. Operating with smaller gauge port sizes does not increase the risk of endophthalmitis.

Aims To study risk factors for presumed infectious endophthalmitis complicating cataract surgery in the United Kingdom. Methods Two hundred and fourteen clinically diagnosed patients with presumed infectious endophthalmitis were compared with 445 control patients throughout the United Kingdom in a prospective case-control study. The cases were identified through the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit reporting card system. Control patients undergoing cataract surgery from 13 'control centres' throughout the United Kingdom were selected randomly. Risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Pertinent variables relating to the cataract extraction procedure, antimicrobial prophylaxis, ophthalmic and medical history were analysed with regard to postoperative infection. Results Statistically significant risk factors in the multivariate model included inpatient cataract surgery (P ¼ 0.001), surgery in dedicated eye theatres (Po0.001), consultant grade surgeon (compared to registrar) (P ¼ 0.001), posterior capsule tear during cataract surgery (P ¼ 0.001). The use of face masks by the scrub nurse and surgeon during cataract surgery (Po0.001) and the administration of subconjunctival antibiotics at the end of surgery (Po0.001) were protective against postoperative infection. Conclusions In order to minimise the risk of postoperative endophthalmitis we would recommend the wearing of face masks by the surgeon and scrub nurse during cataract surgery and subconjunctival antibiotics at the end of surgery.

This study helps surgeons promptly identify cases of endophthalmitis following vitrectomy and informs them about the various management options currently used and the likely outcome of this devastating complication.