Ocular candidiasis is a critical and challenging complication of candidemia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the appropriate timing for ophthalmologic examinations, risk factors for complications of ocular lesions, and their association with mortality. This retrospective cohort study applied, using multiple logistic regression analysis and Cox regression models, to cases of candidemia (age ≥ 18 years) for patients who underwent ophthalmologic consultation. Of the 108 candidemia patients who underwent ophthalmologic examination, 27 (25%) contracted patients had ocular candidiasis, and 7 experienced the more severe condition of endophthalmitis, which included subjective ocular symptoms. In most cases, the initial ophthalmologic examination was performed within one week of the onset of candidiasis with a diagnosis of ocular candidiasis, but in three cases, the findings became apparent only after a second examination within 7−14 days after onset of candidiasis. The independent risk factor extracted for the development of ocular candidiasis was the isolation of C. albicans (OR, 4.85; 95% CI, 1.58−14.90), unremoved CVC (OR, 10.40; 95% CI, 1.74−62.16), and a high βDG value (>108.2 pg/mL) (HR, 2.83; 95% CI = 1.24−6.27). Continuous ophthalmologic examination is recommended in cases of candidemia with the above risk factors with an initial examination within 7 days of onset and a second examination 7−14 days after onset.
Keywords: (1,3)-β-D-glucan (βDG); Candida; endogenous endophthalmitis; fungal endophthalmitis; ocular candidiasis; ophthalmologic examination.