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The eye in bone marrow transplantation. I. Clinical study
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|April 1, 1983
Summary
Bone marrow transplants can cause severe dry eye disease (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) in patients. This condition strongly correlates with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a critical treatment for various hematologic and oncologic conditions.
- Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a common and serious complication following allogeneic BMT.
- Ocular complications, particularly dry eye, are increasingly recognized post-BMT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of ocular surface complications after BMT.
- To determine the correlation between ocular findings and acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 45 patients undergoing BMT.
- Comprehensive ocular examinations were performed.
- Pre- and post-transplant conjunctival biopsies were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome) developed in 20 out of 45 patients (44.4%).
- The incidence of dry eye syndrome showed a strong correlation with the occurrence of acute GVHD.
- Six patients developed acute pseudomembranous conjunctivitis during the fulminant stage of acute GVHD.
- Retrospective analysis of ten additional BMT patients confirmed these findings.
Conclusions:
- Ocular surface disease, especially severe dry eye, is a significant complication post-BMT.
- Acute GVHD is a major risk factor for developing post-BMT keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
- Ophthalmological monitoring is crucial for patients undergoing BMT to detect and manage ocular complications.