Yes, it is possible to get a yeast infection in your eye, a serious condition often referred to as Ocular Candidiasis. This infection is caused by fungi, most commonly Candida species, the same yeast responsible for common thrush or genital yeast infections. While less frequent than bacterial or viral eye infections, a fungal infection carries a high risk of severe complications, including permanent vision loss. Any suspected fungal eye infection requires immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist.
Understanding Fungal Eye Infections
The yeast Candida albicans is the organism most frequently implicated in these ocular infections, though other Candida species can also be the cause. Fungal eye infections are categorized based on the part of the eye affected, which dictates the route of infection and severity.
One major type is Fungal Keratitis, an infection of the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye. Keratitis is usually an external infection that breaches the protective surface.
The other, more severe form is Candida Endophthalmitis, which involves internal structures, such as the vitreous humor and the retina. This internal infection typically originates from a systemic yeast infection that has traveled through the bloodstream. Ocular Candidiasis is an overarching term that includes both keratitis and chorioretinitis (inflammation of the choroid and retina), which often precedes endophthalmitis.
Causes and Risk Factors for Ocular Candidiasis
The pathways for yeast entry differ depending on whether the infection is external or internal. Fungal Keratitis occurs when yeast or mold enters the cornea from an outside source (exogenous infection). Poor hygiene related to contact lenses is a significant risk factor, as fungal spores can contaminate lens cases or solutions.
Trauma to the eye, particularly injuries involving plant matter, soil, or organic debris, can directly introduce fungi into the corneal tissue. Prolonged use of topical corticosteroid eye drops can also suppress the eye’s local immune response, increasing susceptibility.
Candida Endophthalmitis is an endogenous infection, meaning the fungus originates from within the body. This occurs when Candida enters the bloodstream (candidemia) and spreads to the eye’s vascularized tissues. Individuals with compromised immune systems face an elevated risk for this systemic spread.
Conditions like HIV, recent organ transplants, cancer treatment, and diabetes weaken the body’s defenses against systemic yeast overgrowth. Other risk factors include long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which allow Candida to proliferate. Invasive medical procedures, such as recent major surgery or the presence of a central venous catheter, can also provide a direct entry point for yeast into the bloodstream.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Recognizing the specific symptoms is important because a fungal infection often presents differently than common “pink eye” and requires urgent care. If the infection is Fungal Keratitis, symptoms are localized to the front of the eye. Patients often experience severe pain, intense redness, and a foreign body sensation.
A visible sign of keratitis is a white or gray patch, sometimes described as an ulcer, on the cornea. This condition also causes excessive tearing and light sensitivity (photophobia). These signs may develop over several days to weeks, often progressing more slowly than a bacterial infection.
In cases of Candida Endophthalmitis, the symptoms indicate an internal problem and are usually more alarming. A sudden and rapidly worsening decrease in vision is a hallmark sign. Patients frequently report an increase in floaters, which are spots or lines that drift across the field of vision. Pain may be felt deep inside the eye rather than on the surface, and the eye will be extremely sensitive to light.
Diagnosis and Medical Treatment
A definitive diagnosis of a fungal eye infection requires specialized testing because treatment differs vastly from bacterial or viral infections. For Fungal Keratitis, the ophthalmologist typically scrapes a small sample of the infected corneal tissue. This sample is sent to a laboratory for culturing to identify the specific fungus.
Diagnosing Endophthalmitis is more complex and often involves a vitrectomy, where a small sample of the vitreous humor is surgically removed for culture and examination. Once the fungus is identified, treatment must begin immediately and will not respond to standard antibiotic drops.
Fungal Keratitis is primarily treated with intensive topical antifungal medications, such as natamycin, applied directly to the eye. For the more serious Candida Endophthalmitis, a combination of treatments is necessary. This includes systemic antifungal drugs, such as fluconazole or Amphotericin B, delivered intravenously or orally to clear the infection from the bloodstream and internal eye structures. In severe cases, surgical intervention, such as a vitrectomy, may be performed not only to obtain a diagnostic sample but also to remove infected vitreous material to prevent irreversible vision loss.