The Incidence of Ocular Complications in Candidemic Patients and Implications for the Practice of Routine \nEye Exams

Background Ocular candidiasis is a known complication of candidemia. Given the poor ocular penetration of echinocandins, there is some concern that the increasing use of echinocandins may portend an increased incidence of ophthalmic complications. We examined the changing trends in antifungal prescribing patterns and the incidence of ophthalmic complications after candidemia. Methods Patients with blood cultures positive for Candida species between January 2014 and June 2020 who underwent screening fundoscopic examination by an ophthalmologist were analyzed. The chi(2) analysis was used to compare antifungal prescriptions and ocular exam findings before and after 2016. Trend analysis was also performed to assess temporal changes in prescribing practices and eye exam findings. Results There were 226 candidemia cases during the study period, 129 (57.1%) of which underwent screening eye exams. From 2014 to 2015, 24 of 37 (64.5%) patients received eye-penetrating antifungals compared to 36 of 92 (39.1%) from 2016 to 2020 (P = .008). Overall, 30 of 129 (23.3%) patients had abnormal eye exams with the prevalence of abnormal findings being 7 of 37 (18.9%) before 2016 compared to 23 of 92 (25%, P = .46) thereafter. A trend analysis revealed an increase in abnormal eye findings over the study period (P = .008). Of the 30 patients who had abnormal eye exams, 9 (30%) had a change in systemic antifungal therapy from echinocandins to eye-penetrating antifungals. Echinocandin use was associated with abnormal eye findings. Conclusions Prescription of eye-penetrating antifungals for candidemia has trended down since 2016. This was associated with a concomitant increase in abnormal findings on screening fundoscopy. Abnormal eye exams were not uncommon throughout our study period. In a single institution retrospective study of patients with candidemia, fewer patients received eye-penetrating antifungals over the past 5 years. Within this time period, there has also been an increase in abnormal findings on screening fundoscopic exam.