Endophthalmitis is an infection of the tissues or fluids inside the eyeball. It is an urgent medical emergency. If you have symptoms, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Endophthalmitis can blind you if it’s not treated quickly. There are two main types of endophthalmitis: Exogenous Endophthalmitis. This is the most common type of endophthalmitis. With this type, the source of the infection comes from outside the body. Bacteria or fungi gets inside the eye from surgery, an injection into the eyeball or an eye injury. Puncture wounds to the eye are the most likely cause of endophthalmitis.Symptoms usually begin within only a few days of an eye procedure or injury. When symptoms begin quickly like this, it is acute endophthalmitis.The infection can also develop more slowly. When symptoms take longer to emerge, it is chronic endophthalmitis. This happens when specific types of bacteria or fungi enter the eye. Endogenous Endophthalmitis. This is the second main type of endophthalmitis. It starts as an infection in another part of the body and spreads to the eye. For example, this can happen with a urinary tract infection or blood infection.
