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 al l cases the yeast was isolated in blood cultures. The incidence of end ophthalmitis in patients with candidemia was 13%, the predominant spec ies being Candida albicans. Four patients were treated with fluconazol e, but its efficacy could not be evaluated because three of the patien ts died. In patients at risk of candidemia, regular ophthalmoscopic ex aminations are recommended in order to enable early initiation of syst emic antifungal therapy in those who develop endophthalmitis.