Hemorrhagic retinal infarction due to inadvertent overdose of cefuroxime in cases of complicated cataract surgery: retrospective case series

Am J Ophthalmol. 2014 Feb;157(2):421-425.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2013.10.018. Epub 2013 Nov 6.

Abstract

Purpose: To present 4 patients that developed hemorrhagic retinal infarction attributable to inadvertent overdose of cefuroxime after cataract surgery.

Design: Case series.

Subjects and methods: Surgery in 4 patients was complicated-the posterior capsule was absent or torn-and anterior vitrectomy was performed. Cefuroxime was inadvertently injected at a dose higher than recommended in all 4 cases.

Results: Case 1 had hemorrhage in the central and inferior retinal regions, as well as optic atrophy. Case 2 had hemorrhage in the peripapillary and macular regions, as well as optic atrophy. Case 3 had hemorrhage in the peripapillary and inferior retinal regions, as well as macular pucker attributable to fibrovascular formation in the central retinal region. Case 4 had hemorrhage in the peripapillary, macular, and inferior retinal regions. The cefuroxime doses administered to the presented patients were much higher than reported in other cases and resulted in a higher concentration in the vitreous. Consequently, the severity of toxicity was much higher than in other reported cases of cefuroxime-induced toxicity.

Conclusion: In cases of intracameral cefuroxime overdose, hemorrhagic retinal infarction can develop after cataract surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anterior Chamber / drug effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cataract Extraction / adverse effects*
  • Cefuroxime / adverse effects*
  • Drug Overdose / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Infarction / chemically induced*
  • Lens Implantation, Intraocular
  • Male
  • Optic Atrophy / chemically induced
  • Posterior Capsular Rupture, Ocular / etiology
  • Retinal Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Retinal Vessels / drug effects*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vitrectomy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cefuroxime