Bilateral presumed endogenous candida endophthalmitis and stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report a case of presumed endogenous bilateral Candida endophthalmitis that developed in an infant with bilateral posterior stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: In a very low birth weight and extremely premature infant, presumed endogenous bilateral Candida endophthalmitis was successfully eradicated from each eye and retinopathy of prematurity was managed. RESULTS: Candida endophthalmitis was successfully eradicated from each eye by vitrectomy with instillation of 5 μg amphotericin B. Stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity without “plus disease” in the right eye regressed without ablation of the avascular peripheral retina. Stage 3 retinopathy with “plus disease” in the left eye was successfully managed with endolaser photocoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant Candida endophthalmitis and posterior stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity often portend a dismal prognosis. We describe an infant for whom prompt diagnosis and aggressive therapy of both conditions resulted in a favorable anatomic outcome in both eyes.