ObjectiveTo analyse the effect of vitrectomy in diagnosing and treating endogenous endophthalmitis. MethodsThe effects of treatment, prognosis and the final follow-up visual acuity of 22 patients (30 eyes) with endogenous endophthalmitis diagnosed in our hospital from Jan 2000 to Dec 2003 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsIn 21 patients who underwent blood or vitreous body smear and culture, 18 (86%) had a positive result, including bacteria in 6, fungi in 11, and mixed infection in 1. In 16 patients who had complete follow-up data, successful vitrectomy were performed on 13 (81.3%) including 6 with functional success.ConclusionVitrectomy may improve the positive rate of culture and vision prognosis in patients with endogenous endophthalmitis.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:142-144)