Abstract:
Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of
ophthalmopathy in patients with leukemia, and their
relationship with hematological parameters.
Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study of consecutive
adult patients diagnosed with any leukemia, confirmed by bone
marrow biopsy in two referral hospitals in Jos. Data was
collected between January 2016 and June 2017. Socio demographic and medical history were obtained from patients
who consented to participate in the study. Results of the most
recent hematologic parameters were retrieved from patient's
case notes. Comprehensive ocular examination, including
dilated fundoscopy was conducted and findings noted. Data
was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences
version 21.
Results: Sixty-nine patients were examined during the study
period. Their mean age was 44±18.8 years with a male to
female ratio of 1.9:1. Forty-four (63.8%) participants had
ocular manifestations. Leukemia specific manifestations were
largely in the posterior segment (50.8%) and include tortuous
retinal vessels (11.9%), retinal hemorrhage (10.2%),
maculopathy (8.5%), disc swelling (5.9%) and cotton wool
spots (5.1%). Non-leukemia specific manifestations such as
cataract, pseudophakia and glaucoma accounted for 33.3% of
findings. Significant predictors for occurrence of ocular
manifestations were hemoglobin concentration (P=0.042) and
platelet count (P=0.006). Increasing hemoglobin
concentration may reduce the likelihood of developing retinal
hemorrhage in 43.5% of cases (p= 0.007).
Conclusions: Ocular manifestations of leukemia were
predominantly in the posterior segment and frequently
associated with anaemia and thrombocytopenia.
