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Retinopathy in acute leukaemia at initial diagnosis: correlation of fundus lesions and haematological parameters

  1. S. C. Reddy1,*,
  2. N. Jackson2

Article first published online: 1 DEC 2003

DOI: 10.1046/j.1600-0420.2003.00197.x

Issue

Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica

Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica

Volume 82, Issue 1, pages 81–85, February 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Reddy, S. C. and Jackson, N. (2004), Retinopathy in acute leukaemia at initial diagnosis: correlation of fundus lesions and haematological parameters. Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, 82: 81–85. doi: 10.1046/j.1600-0420.2003.00197.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

  2. 2

    Department of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

* Dr S Chandrasekhara Reddy Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Faculty of Medicine University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Tel: + 60 3 79 50 20 60 Fax: + 60 3 79 53 56 35 Email: screddy98@hotmail.com

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 1 DEC 2003
  2. Article first published online: 1 DEC 2003
  3. Received on April 22nd, 2003. Accepted on September 12th, 2003.

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Keywords:

  • acute leukaemia;
  • retinopathy;
  • intraretinal haemorrhages;
  • white-centred haemorrhages;
  • cotton-wool spots

Abstract.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of retinal changes in newly diagnosed acute leukaemia patients, and to establish the relationship between retinal lesions and haematological parameters in these patients.

Methods: A total of 127 patients with acute leukaemia (myeloid and lymphoid), of both genders, aged between 13 and 77 years, were examined by an ophthalmologist for retinal changes using direct/indirect ophthalmoscopy within 2 days of diagnosis before starting chemotherapy.

Results: Retinal lesions were seen in 62 cases (49%), with intraretinal haemorrhages being the most common lesion (42%). A high white blood cell count was significantly associated with intraretinal haemorrhages (p = 0.04) and white-centred haemorrhages (p = 0.001), while a low platelet count was significantly associated with intraretinal haemorrhages (p = 0.03) in acute myeloid leukaemia patients.

Conclusions: A high white blood cell count may be considered as important as a low platelet count in the pathogenesis of leukaemic retinopathy.

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