Intralenticular Candida species abscess in a premature infant.

PURPOSE

To report the clinical and histopathologic findings of a premature infant with severe retinopathy of prematurity complicated by the development of an intralenticular fungal abscess.

METHODS

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS

A markedly premature infant developed Candida septicemia at 29 weeks postconception. Over the ensuing 10 weeks, cataract and intraocular inflammation developed sequentially in each eye, as did progressive retinopathy of prematurity with tractional retinal detachment. Pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy revealed intralenticular Candida species abscess.

CONCLUSION

Progressive cataract and intraocular inflammation in a low birth weight infant may be caused by endogenous intraocular infection secondary to systemic candidiasis. Cataract secondary to retinopathy of prematurity is rare.