We evaluated the causative microorganisms, dispositions, and visual prognosis of endogenous endophthalmitis.

The records of 12 eyes of 10 patients who were diagnosed with endogenous endophthalmitis were retrospectively reviewed with respect to the causative microorganisms, dispositions, visual prognosis, initial visual acuity, time interval between onset of symptom, and the course of treatment.

Three of the four eyes infected with a candida species recovered a visual acuity of 0.1 or better; none of the other infected eyes reached higher than 0.1 ( p =0.024). Initial visual acuity of less than hand movement reached globe loss in three eyes, while 5 eyes with initial visual acuity of better than hand movement of seven eyes did not lose the globe ( p =0.045). Three out of patients with a time interval between onset of symptoms and treatment of more than five days did not lose the globe, while those with a time interval of less than five days of eight eyes did not lose the globe.

Visual prognosis and globe survival depends mainly on the underlying microorganism, initial visual acuity, the time interval between the onset of symptom, and treatment. Patients with candida endophthalmitis had good visual outcome compared with the others, and thus microbial culture identification is a useful predictor of visual acuity and treatment.