Candida endophthalmitis in non-neutropenic critically ill patients

Six non-neutropenic critically ill patients who developed hematogenous endophthalmitis due to Candida spp. were studied prospectively. In all cases the yeast was isolated in blood cultures. The incidence of endophthalmitis in patients with candidemia was 13%, the predominant species being Candida albicans. Four patients were treated with fluconazole, but its efficacy could not be evaluated because three of the patients died. In patients at risk of candidemia, regular ophthalmoscopic examinations are recommended in order to enable early initiation of systemic antifungal therapy in those who develop endophthalmitis.