Bacillus Panophthalmitis with Posterior Extension to the Prechiasmatic Optic Nerve

Abstract

A rare case of Bacillus panophthlamitis with extension to the prechiasmatic optic nerve secondary to hematogenous spreading after intravenous drug use is presented. A 27-year-old man with a recent history of trauma to the left eye presented with severe left eye pain following a binge of intravenous drug use. Visual acuity (VA) was LP. On examination he had chemosis, proptosis, elevated intraocular pressure, and a complete hyphema. CT-scan identified preseptal swelling, but no evidence of any posterior extension of the anterior process or orbital fractures. Topical and systemic therapy were initiated. On follow-up clinical examination less than 12 hours after presentation he had signs of a keratitis with worsening ophthalmoplegia and repeat imaging demonstrated posterior extension to the prechiasmatic optic nerve. Shortly after the cornea ruptured with cultures growing Bacillus. The patient underwent enucleation and has had no further progression of infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Bacillus panophthalmitis presenting with signs of trauma with posterior extension to the prechiasmatic optic nerve.