In this retrospective, single-center study, the records of patients with acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections during the pre-COVID and COVID-19 eras were reviewed and compared. A total of 28,085 IVB injections were performed during the pre-COVID era;nine eyes of nine patients developed acute post-IVB endophthalmitis in this era, giving an overall incidence of 0.032% (3.2 in 10000 injections). In the COVID era, a total of 10,717 IVB injections were performed;four eyes of four patients developed acute post IVB endophthalmitis in this era, giving an overall incidence of 0.037% (3.7 in 10000 injections). The incidences of post-IVB endophthalmitis during these two eras were not different (P-value = 0.779). The BCVA of the eyes affected during the COVID era showed poor improvement back to baseline values, after three months, even with prompt and maximum treatment. Face masking protocols seem unlikely to increase the risk of post-IVB endophthalmitis.
Intravitreal Injections and Face Masks: Endophthalmitis Risk Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic