Case Report Links Post-Cataract Inflammation to Preretinal Deposits

A case report published in BMC Ophthalmology describes persistent chronic intraocular inflammation following cataract surgery that resulted in the formation of preretinal deposits. The authors propose that sustained inflammatory activity, potentially secondary to a postoperative infection, is a mechanism capable of generating such deposits on the retinal surface.

The patient initially presented to a local hospital with decreased visual acuity in the left eye and underwent standard cataract surgery. On the third postoperative day, the operated eye exhibited signs of acute distress, including redness, pain, and a further decline in vision. These symptoms led clinicians to suspect infectious endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. In response, the patient received a month-long regimen of systemic intravenous vancomycin, alongside peribulbar injections of dexamethasone sodium phosphate and tobramycin. While this treatment successfully reduced ocular redness and pain, the patient’s visual acuity failed to recover significantly, prompting a referral to the authors’ hospital for further evaluation.

The surgical team administered vancomycin and ceftazidime intravitreally, along with 20 mg of triamcinolone acetonide retrobulbarly and 5 mg of dexamethasone subconjunctivally. During the vitrectomy, surgeons observed white deposits regularly distributed along the retinal vessels on the retinal surface.

Following the vitrectomy and the combined anti-infective and anti-inflammatory therapy, the preretinal deposits gradually resolved.

The analysis revealed that the deposits consisted of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and exudates, which are consistent with chronic inflammatory lesions. Immunohistochemical results further indicated that these cells were derived from blood extravasation.

The authors conclude that persistent chronic intraocular inflammation may be one mechanism leading to the formation of preretinal deposits. They emphasize that intravitreal injection alone, or in combination with vitrectomy, remains the first-line treatment for clinically highly suspected infectious endophthalmitis.

Subject of Research: Preretinal deposits resulting from chronic intraocular inflammation after cataract surgery

Article Title: Preretinal deposits caused by chronic inflammation after cataract surgery: a case report

Article References: Wang, Q., Hao, H., Ma, Y., Jia, J., Yan, Y., & Wang, Z. (2026). Preretinal deposits caused by chronic inflammation after cataract surgery: a case report. BMC Ophthalmology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-026-05489-y

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12886-026-05489-y

Keywords: cataract surgery, preretinal deposits, intraocular inflammation, endophthalmitis, vitrectomy, ophthalmology, case report, postoperative complications, Preretinal, deposits, caused, chronic