SUCCESSFUL USE OF TOPICAL RETINOIC ACID IN SEVERE DRY EYE DUE TO CHRONIC GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE

Topical retinoic acid has proved to be of variable benefit in a number of dry eye disorders of disparate aetiology, in which squamous metapl asia with keratinization of ocular epithelium is present. Its exact ro le in patients ,vith dry eye however remains in dispute. We describe a case of severe dry eye due to chronic graft-versus-host disease, whic h was refractory to conventional therapy but which responded remarkabl y to topical retinoic acid ,vith reversal of conjunctival keratinizati on and marked resolution of symptoms.