Ophthalmologic findings and complications before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: single-center study

Purpose Different and various system complications and late effects may occur after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It was aimed to obtain information about the frequency of ophthalmologic complications and their relationship with treatment. Methods This retrospective study includes 104 children who underwent HSCT between February 2019 and June 2020 at the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Patients' ages, genders, diagnosis, transplant types, chemotherapy regimens, transplantation details, conditioning regimens, supportive cares, graft versus host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis, infection episodes, and ophthalmologic findings were evaluated. Results Of the 104 patients included in the study, 38 (36.5%) were female and 66 (63.5%) were male. Average age ± SD was 8.7 ± 4.91. Considering the diagnoses, the majority of the patients were acute lymphoblastic leukemia (46 patients-44%). Myeloablative regimen was used in 93 (89%) of the patients, and reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) was used in 11 patients (10%). While total body irradiation was applied in 16 (15%) patients, one patient was received cranial radiotherapy. Cyclosporine was used in 96 (92%) patients. CMV reactivation was detected in 54 (51%) of the patients. CMV retinitis was not seen. Ocular pathology was detected in 20 (19%) patients before HSCT and in 12 (11%) patients after HSCT. The most common pathology was dry eye. Conclusion Routine ophthalmologic examinations are important in terms of early diagnosis. In addition, GvHD and CMV prophylaxis is important because of reducing the risk of ocular complications after HSCT.