To compare the use of systemic oral and intravenous antibiotics as a prophylactic measure to prevent endophthalmitis in patients with open globe injuries

This prospective study was conducted on 1,255 consecutive patients with open globe injuries due to sharp or blunt trauma in a hospital setting in Tehran, Iran from January, 2011 to May, 2013. The patients were randomly divided into two groups and either received intravenous or oral systemic antibiotics as a measure to prevent endophthalmitis. The patients who developed endophthalmitis were followed for 1 year.

In the first group, 12 patients (1.8%) developed endophthalmitis until post- operative Day 3 and 2 more patients (0.3%) developed endophthalmitis until the end of Week 1. These numbers in group receiving oral antibiotics were 8 (1.3%), 5 (0.8%), and 13 patients, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. There was also no statistically significant difference in the visual acuity of patients developing endophthalmitis in these 2 groups 1 year postoperatively.

No statistically significant difference in the occurrence of postoperative endophthalmitis or the visual acuity 1 year after operation among patients with open globe injuries receiving intravenous or oral systemic antibiotics as a prophylactic measure was observed.