Peripheral retinal nonperfusion associated with chronic myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of peripheral retinal nonperfusion and chronic myeloid leukemia in a 23-year-old woman.

Design: Observational case report.

Methods: A complete ophthalmic and systemic evaluation was performed.

Results: Ophthalmic examination revealed peripheral retinal nonperfusion with retinal neovascularization in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography of both eyes showed a marked midperipheral and peripheral avascular retina temporally with arteriovenous anastomosis and seafan neovascularizations. Blood work showed no abnormalities, although marked leucocytosis (up to 750 x 10(9)/l) and thrombocytosis (646 x 10(9)/l) were present in 1998 when the patient was diagnosed with leukemia. Following treatment, the patient has been in remission.

Conclusions: Peripheral retinal nonperfusion with retinal neovascularization may occur as a complication of chronic myeloid leukemia. In contrast to other studies describing this association, our patient had a bilateral peripheral retinal nonperfusion with seafan neovascularizations without relapse of the myeloid leukemia and without any of the other retinal signs associated with chronic myeloid leukemia, such as tortuosity of veins, intraretinal or preretinal hemorrhages, and cotton-wool exudates.