Chronic myeloid leukaemia accelerates proliferative retinopathy in patients with co-existent diabetes: A risk factor not to be ignored.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the retinal imaging characteristics, retinopathy management strategies and visual outcomes in cases of diabetes with chronic myeloid leukaemia.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with diabetes and chronic myeloid leukaemia managed at our tertiary eye care centre from January 2015 to December 2017.

METHODS

Detailed ophthalmic and systemic evaluation, treatment and follow-up records were reviewed. The main measures studied were visual acuity, intra-ocular pressure, retinopathy severity, and surgical indications and techniques.

RESULTS

Of the six patients studied, three had diabetes and chronic myeloid leukaemia at presentation, while in three cases chronic myeloid leukaemia was diagnosed following evaluation for proliferative retinopathy. The visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to perception of light. All eyes had marked proliferative retinopathy out of proportion to the exudation. None of the eyes had significant macular oedema. Pan-retinal photocoagulation (10/12, 83.33%), intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection (8/12, 66.67%), vitrectomy (2/12, 16.67%), cataract surgery (2/12, 16.67%) and trabeculectomy followed by cryoablation (2/12, 16.67%) was performed for management of the ocular disease as indicated. Median follow-up was 16.5 months (range: 6-24 months). Final visual acuity ranged from PL to 20/20 with acuity ⩾ 20/100 in eight eyes. Four eyes had advanced optic neuropathy from neovascular glaucoma.

CONCLUSION

Accelerated proliferative retinopathy can be seen in cases of diabetes with chronic myeloid leukaemia at the very initial ophthalmic evaluation. Thus, there is a need to alter screening guidelines for retinopathy in cases of diabetes with chronic myeloid leukaemia. Early detection and aggressive management may help preserve visual acuity in such cases.