[Ocular findings in leukemia in childhood]

A 6 1/2 years old boy got completely blind within 3 days. Ophthalmoscopically regular findings suggested a retrobulbar opticus infiltration in a pediatric-diagnosed acute myeloic leukemia FAB-M2. A quick diagnosis and prompt cytostatic therapy combined with irradiation of the retrobulbar space opened the way for complete remission with bilateral optic atrophy. The ophthalmoscopic examination of 12 other leukemic children showed once more the involvement of the central nervous system with bilateral papilloedema, 2 times retinal hemorrhages and one vitreous bleeding; 8 children had no ocular symptoms. Comparing these findings to those described in literature, the authors point out the value of ophthalmoscopy to exclude ophthalmologic damages and to avoid side-effects of cytostatic therapy, fortunately not observed till now.