Acute vision loss due to CML leukemic retinopathy reversed with leukapheresis

Abstract

Abstract Leukemic retinopathy is a severe complication of severe leukocytosis that results from untreated chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Immediate cytoreduction via leukapheresis may reverse ocular manifestations and prevent permanent vision damage. We present a case of a patient with acute unilateral vision loss found to have leukemic retinopathy in the setting of untreated CML with improvement of visual symptoms after leukapheresis and initiation of hydroxyurea.

Keywords

• central retinal vein occlusion
• chronic myeloid leukemia
• cytoreduction
• leukapheresis
• retinopathy