PROLIFERATIVE RETINOPATHY IN CHRONIC MYEL OCYTIC-LEUKEMIA (CML)

Background In 50% of patients with acute and chronic myelocytic leukem ia retinal alterations occur which are similar to those of nonprolifer ative diabetic retinopathy or hypertensive retinopathy. Retinal neovas cularizations, however, are rarely seen and only found in patients wit h the chronic disease. Patients and methods We report on the clinical course of three patients with advanced stage of proliferative retinopa thy in CML. In two patients, the diagnosis of CML was established afte r ocular involvement. Therapy was planned according to the principles, which have proven effective in other vasoproliferative retinopathies. Eyes with neovascular changes were only treated by panretinal scatter photocoagulation of the avascular zones. In the cases with complicati ons like vitreous hemorrhage and traction retinal detachment, vitreore tinal surgery was performed. Results Using this therapeutic principles in 4 of 6 eyes a visual acuity > 0.7 could be preserved. In three eye s impending macular involvement by traction retinal detachment was pre vented. Conclusion The therapeutic approach, which is valid for prolif erative retinopathies of various etiology is also beneficial for ocula r complications in CML.