Managing Ocular Graft-versus-Host Disease

Graft-versus-host disease often affects the eyes causing dryness, blurry vision and/or pain. Learn the best ways to manage ocular GVHD.

Presenter: Rahul Tonk MD, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Summary:

Chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) affects more than 50% of patients who have chronic GVHD. A variety of therapies are available and should be approached in a step-ladder manner.

Highlights:

• Chronic GVHD can affect the eye surface, eyelid and inner eye
• Chronic GVHD can cause dry eyes, ulcerations, scarring and cataracts that affect vision
• Most patients with ocular GVHD have a mild case of the disease
• Management should follow a step-ladder approach
  • Control your environment
  • Lubricants
  • Try tear preservation 
  • Eye surface support 
  • Immunosuppression
  • Surgery
  • • If you have, or are at risk of developing, ocular GVHD, you should be seen by an ophthalmologist who is a cornea specialist.

Thank you to Jazz Pharmaceuticals for supporting this presentation.

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