More Than Meets the Eye: Infective Endocarditis Presenting as Endogenous Endophthalmitis

Cureus. 2021 Apr 28;13(4):e14745. doi: 10.7759/cureus.14745.

Abstract

Endogenous endophthalmitis (EE) is a potentially blinding ophthalmological emergency with poor visual prognosis requiring a high index of clinical suspicion to obtain a prompt diagnosis. The main factors associated with poor visual outcomes include the virulence of the causative organism and timing of intervention. Infective endocarditis can present with nonspecific ocular complaints and remains an important risk factor for developing EE. We report an unusual case of EE in a 78-year-old male caused by infective endocarditis secondary to Streptococcus viridans resulting in bioprosthetic aortic valve abscess with dehiscence.

Keywords: acute endophthalmitis; aortic valve; aortic valve abscess; bacteremia; streptococcal bacteremia; viridian's group endocarditis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports