Hematology Reports (Mar 2024)

Ophthalmic Manifestations in Patients with Blood Malignancies

  • Costanza Rossi,
  • Alessandro Buizza,
  • Giuseppe Alessio,
  • Massimiliano Borselli,
  • Andrea Taloni,
  • Adriano Carnevali,
  • Giovanna Carnovale Scalzo,
  • Andrea Lucisano,
  • Vincenzo Scorcia,
  • Giuseppe Giannaccare

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/hematolrep16020020
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 2
pp. 193 – 203

Abstract

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Ocular complications can occur in up to 90% of patients with blood malignancies. Such complications range from direct infiltration to local hemostatic imbalance and treatment-related toxicity. This narrative review is based on a systematic computerized search of the literature conducted until January 2024 and examines the common ocular complications associated with blood cancers. Ocular complications from primary disease include mass effects from ocular adnexal lymphomas and intraocular lymphomas, with B-cell lymphomas accounting for 95% of primary ocular presentations. Secondary disease involvement from systemic hematological malignancies can lead to a wide range of ocular manifestations, such as leukemic retinopathy. Furthermore, toxicity from antineoplastic therapies and ocular graft versus host disease (oGVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation present additional risks to ocular health. In conclusion, ocular complications in blood cancer patients are an integral part of patient management, requiring regular ophthalmic evaluations and close collaboration between oncologists and ophthalmologists. Advances in therapy and an increased focus on early symptom recognition are essential for preserving vision and enhancing patient quality of life.

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