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Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment
Published on: January 7, 2015
CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC NADIR-ASSOCIATED RETINOPATHY
David Rivera-De La Parra1, Enrique O Graue-Hernandez
1*Centro de atención integral del paciente con diabetes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico city, Mexico; and†Instituto de Oftalmología "Fundación Conde de Valenciana" I.A.P., Mexico city, Mexico.
Chemotherapy can cause subinternal limiting membrane hemorrhages, a rare retinal complication. This finding is likely linked to low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) during treatment for leukemia.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Chemotherapy for leukemia can lead to hematologic complications.
- Thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of chemotherapy, increasing bleeding risk.
Observation:
- A case report details a 23-year-old male patient with acute myeloid leukemia.
- The patient developed bilateral subinternal limiting membrane hemorrhages during chemotherapy.
Findings:
- Subinternal limiting membrane hemorrhages were observed as a retinal manifestation.
- These hemorrhages were attributed to thrombocytopenia secondary to chemotherapy.
Implications:
- Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia can present with specific retinal findings.
- Ophthalmologists should consider chemotherapy nadir as a potential cause of subinternal limiting membrane hemorrhages in leukemia patients.
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