Leukemic optic nerve involvement complicating central retinal artery occlusion

Abstract

A 52-year-old man suffered from acute myelogenous leukemia with optic nerve involvement. Initially, unilateral optic disc edema was observed in his right eye, with moderately decreased visual acuity and an enlarged blind spot. Two weeks later, he noticed a sudden loss of vision that was caused by an onset of-central retinal artery occlusion. Thereafter, a mass on the optic disc, peripapillary retinal hemorrhage, and subretinal infiltrates were observed ophthalmoscopically. He was treated with orbital irradiation (30 Gy). Despite treatment, retinal circulation and visual acuity did not recover, and rubeosis iridis occurred after one month, followed by elevated intraocular pressure.

Key Words:

• leukemia
• optic nerve disease
• retinal artery occlusion