Candida endophthalmitis and drug abuse

Abstract

Candida endophthalmitis after intravenous heroin is described. Our patient had an initial rapid deterioration on systemic corticosteroids. Systemic amphotericin B, 5 flucytosine, vitrectomy and retinal surgery were required to achieve a final visual acuity of 6/24. The difficulty of an early diagnosis and the deleterious effect of corticosteroid use are emphasized.