Cataract surgery in allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients with graft-versus-host disease(1)

To study the outcomes of cataract surgery in allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients with documented graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and to elucidate the concomitant ocular surface problems often encountered in these patients.

W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

This retrospective study comprised 12 cataract surgeries in 7 patients with GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. In particular, visual acuity improvement, surgical complications, and problems associated with concomitant ocular surface disease were reviewed.

The mean visual acuity improved significantly from 20/46 (logMAR 0.32) preoperatively to 20/21 (logMAR 0.02) postoperatively (P <.005). The mean postoperative follow-up was 23 months (range 3 to 48 months). All patients had dry eyes, and 3 had conjunctival cicatrization with mild keratinization. No patient had postoperative corneal breakdown.

With aggressive management of dry eyes and other ocular surface problems, cataract surgery had excellent outcomes in patients with GVHD.