Open AccessRefractory recurrent ocular graft versus host disease
Author(s) -
Emily Greenan,
Elisabeth Vandenberghe,
Conor C Murphy
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2019-232579
Subject(s) - medicine , graft versus host disease , refractory (planetary science) , disease , hematopoietic stem cell transplantation , stem cell , transplantation , surgery , quality of life (healthcare) , dermatology , physics , nursing , astrobiology , biology , genetics
Ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the most frequent and long-term complications affecting patients after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It is associated with significant morbidity and a marked reduction in quality of life. Although common, currently there are no widely accepted guidelines available for its management, and no suggested regime of treatment that is completely satisfactory. So far, prophylactic treatment strategies for ocular GVHD have yet to be developed and treatment is normally initiated based on symptoms often after permanent ocular tissue changes and surface damage has occurred. Here we describe a case of recurrent ocular GVHD and its associated complications that was highly refractory to treatment.