Ophthalmic manifestations in hematological malignancies: An observational study from a tertiary care health center in Eastern India.

Abstract

This study aimed to document the spectrum of ocular manifestations of hematological malignancies presenting to a tertiary health center in Eastern India and their association with blood parameters. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2021 to July 2022. Patients diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma were enrolled in the study. A comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation was done in each case. A total of 97 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of hematological malignancies and meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Ocular manifestations were noted in 48 (49.48%) patients. Acute lymphocytic leukemia accounted for 35.4% of cases, followed by acute myeloid leukemia (31.25%), lymphoma (4.2%), and minimum manifestation in multiple myeloma (2.1%) patients. Among 48 patients with ocular manifestations, anterior segment involvement was found in 6.2% of cases, with subconjunctival hemorrhage being the most common, and the posterior segment was involved in 100% of patients, with intraretinal hemorrhages being the most common manifestation. A statistically significant association was noted between hemoglobin, total red blood cell count, and total platelet count with posterior segment manifestations ( p < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression, only total leucocyte count and total platelet count were significant predictors for ocular manifestation. Indirect involvement of the retina is the most common ocular pathology in hematological malignancies, with intraretinal hemorrhages being the most common finding. Ophthalmic examination is highly recommended as a part of the routine evaluation at the time of diagnosis of hematological malignancies and periodically thereafter to diagnose any ocular involvement.