Ocular complications following blast transformation in chronic myelogenous leukemia

A number of ocular problems compromising vision occurred in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia following blastic transformation. Hemorrhagic retinopathy developed with systemic relapse and resolved with control of systemic disease. Optic nerve involvement occurred with meningeal leukemia and was controlled with intrathecal cytosine arabinoside and methotrexate. Leukemic retinal infiltrates developed despite control of systemic and meningeal disease and were successfully treated with radiation therapy. Finally, bilateral vitreous hemorrhages occurred, severely impairing vision. Leukemic infiltration of the eye may occur with increasing frequency in CML as the survival following bastic transformation improves. Infiltration should be recognized and treated promptly if serious loss of vision is to be avoided. Central nervous system prophylaxis should be considered in patients achieving a complete response following therapy for transformation.