Ocular findings after bone marrow transplantation in a pediatric population.
OBJECTIVE
With the increasing use of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in children to treat diseases of the hematopoietic system, ocular complications have been recognized in greater numbers. The authors performed a retrospective study to determine the prevalence and types of ocular abnormalities in a pediatric population following BMT.


METHODS
Retrospective noncomparative study.


METHODS
One hundred and four consecutive pediatric patients with aplastic anemia and various hematologic malignancies who required BMT.


METHODS
Bone marrow transplantation.


METHODS
Visual acuity and slit-lamp biomicroscopic and funduscopic examinations.


RESULTS
Ocular changes developed in 51% of patients. The most frequent findings included dry eye syndrome (12.5%), cataract (23.0%), and posterior segment complications (13.5%). A final visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 95.7% of eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric patients can develop severe and potentially vision-threatening complications following BMT. Despite the high incidence of anterior and posterior segment abnormalities, ocular symptoms were generally mild and the majority of patients retained excellent visual function. Factors associated with ocular complications included the underlying disease, total body irradiation, systemic chemotherapy, graft-versus-host disease, and immunosuppression. Familiarity with these risk factors and potential complications in pediatric patients is important for successful treatment.
Suh
D W
DW
The Eye Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226-4812, USA.
Ruttum
M S
MS
Stuckenschneider
B J
BJ
Mieler
W F
WF
Kivlin
J D
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007938:Leukemia / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity