Inpatient ophthalmology consultations for candidemia: a literature review and opinion.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To examine the role of the ophthalmologist in screening for ocular candidiasis in patients with Candidemia .

Recent findings: Recent evidence has shown that previously published incidence rates of endophthalmitis in Candidemia were overestimating risk due to nonuniform guidelines. Newer data suggest a very low rate of endophthalmitis in the Candidemia population. There is currently a lack of definitive data proving that retinal findings lead to significant changes in the clinical management of patients with regards to systemic treatment and overall outcomes.

Summary: Given the low rates of endophthalmitis, minimal management changes with positive retinal findings, and recently published guidelines from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, we posit that ocular screening of all patients with Candidemia is not warranted. However, more research is required to better delineate high-risk features that could guide which patients would require ophthalmologic examination. Further collaboration between ophthalmology and infectious disease specialists is vital to create new evidence-based guidelines based on the recent data.