A case of infected scleral buckle with Mycobacterium chelonae associated with chronic intraocular inflammation

Purpose: To describe a unique case of chronic intraocular inflammation secondary to scleral buckle infection with Mycobacterium chelonae that was successfully treated with buckle explantation. Methods: Case report. Results: A 59-year-old male with a history of retinal detachment repair at the age Of 41 presented with chronic, recurrent intraocular inflammation responsive to topical corticosteroids. Conjunctival erosion with exposure of the scleral buckle occurred five months after initial presentation. The scleral buckle was removed and cultured. After three weeks of postoperative topical tobramycin and dexamethasone treatment, the patient has remained symptom-free without medications. The explanted material grew acid-fast bacilli later identified as M. chelonae. Conclusions: This case describes a new finding of chronic intraocular inflammation associated with a scleral buckle infected with M. chelonae and the successful resolution of extraocular infection and intraocular inflammation after buckle removal.