Fundus leucaemicus as first manifestation of chronic myeloid leukemia. Diagnosis and monitoring with OCT under treatment with imatinib and interferon-α

Fundus leucaemicus with reduction of visual acuity can be one of the first signs of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The ocular manifestations are unspecific, but characteristic for severe systemic diseases. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is helpful for documentation and quantification of the pathological retinal changes. However, peripheral blood counts and differential haemograms are seminal for the diagnosis of CML and can be important for survival. First line therapy for CML is the application of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib (Glivec.). Ophthalmological adverse effects of this therapy, such as peri-orbital edema, are possible. Therefore regular ophthalmic monitoring should be performed.