CANDIDA ENDOPHTHALMITIS ASSOCIATED WITH INTRAOCULAR-LENS IMPLANTATION- EFFICACY OF FLUCONAZOLE THERAPY

Four patients with Candida parapsilosis endophthalmitis following intr aocular lens implantation were treated with oral fluconazole. All had failed prior therapy with intravitreal amphotericin B. The only patien t who had the lens implant removed was cured after treatment with fluc onazole for one year. Three patients who did not have the lens implant removed had resolution of symptoms and return of visual acuity toward s normal during the year they were on fluconazole. However, five month s after therapy had been stopped, all three had decreasing visual acui ty, and in two, culture of vitreous fluid yielded C. parapsilosis. Flu conazole may be effective, for treatment of endophthalmitis associated with an intraocular lens implant, but only when the implant is remove d also.