What is the main risk of cataract surgery in Hyderabad due to antibiotic resistance?

The main risk is severe post-surgery eye infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, potentially leading to permanent vision loss.

Which bacteria is causing concern in post-cataract infections at LV Prasad Eye Institute?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is causing concern due to its rapid development of resistance to multiple antibiotics.

Are last-resort antibiotics still effective against eye infections?

While colistin remains effective in many cases, there is emerging resistance, making treatment increasingly challenging.

Home / Health / Superbugs Threaten Sight After Cataract Surgery

Superbugs Threaten Sight After Cataract Surgery

8 Jan

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Summary

Drug-resistant bacteria are causing severe infections post-cataract surgery.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a multidrug-resistant bacterium, is a growing concern.
Last-resort antibiotics like colistin are showing emerging resistance patterns.

Superbugs Threaten Sight After Cataract Surgery

A critical surge in antibiotic-resistant bacteria is now jeopardizing vision following routine cataract surgeries. Doctors are increasingly observing aggressive infections, such as those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, that defy standard antibiotic treatments. This alarming trend, linked to the global antimicrobial resistance crisis, means patients' sight can be irreversibly damaged within hours if infections are not promptly controlled.

The study from LV Prasad Eye Institute analyzed 410 post-cataract infections, revealing over 32 cases linked to multidrug-resistant bacteria. Resistance to ceftazidime, a common antibiotic for Gram-negative infections, has sharply increased, forcing reliance on colistin. Worryingly, laboratory tests indicated nearly 93% resistance to fluoroquinolones and even some resistance to colistin itself.