PURPOSE:

To report a case of chronic postoperative endophthalmitis caused by the gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas oryzihabitans.

DESIGN:

Interventional case report.

METHODS:

A 77-year-old man was referred to our service for nonpainful uveitis in the right eye accompanied by increased intraocular pressure of 2 years' duration with onset 4 months after uncomplicated extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. The uveitis partially responded to topical corticosteroid therapy but was recurrent with tapering of steroids. An anterior chamber tap and vitreous biopsies sent for cultures were negative. Owing to the persistence of inflammation despite intraocular vancomycin injection, the lens implant and capsule were removed and culture of the latter revealed the bacterium P. oryzihabitans.

RESULTS:

There was no recurrence of inflammation after removal of the lens implant and capsule.

CONCLUSIONS:

Unlike other gram-negative organisms, which are associated with poor outcomes, P. oryzihabitans may masquerade as chronic uveitis because of its low virulence.