Unilateral Subhyaloid Hemorrhage as a Presenting Sign of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Patient: Female, 19-year-old Final Diagnosis: Chronic myeloid leukemia Symptoms: Blurring of vision Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Hematology • Ophthalmology OBJECTIVE: Unusual clinical course BACKGROUND: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a malignant myeloproliferative neoplasm of pluripotent stem cell origin. Ophthalmic manifestation as an initial presentation in cases of CML is extremely rare. Frequently, ocular lesions in CML are asymptomatic. However, vitreous or foveal involvement can result in a symptomatic visual loss and earlier presentation. Here, we report a rare case of monocular vision loss due to subhyaloid hemorrhage in a case of CML. CASE REPORT: A 19-year-old healthy woman presented to the Emergency Department with sudden painless decrease in vision in her left eye for 1 day. Fundus examination revealed multiple intraretinal hemorrhages with some white-centered hemorrhages in 4 quadrants in both eyes, and subhyaloid hemorrhage involving the fovea in the left eye. Complete blood count and peripheral blood smear were consistent with the diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia. After referral to the hematology service, the diagnosis was confirmed based on bone marrow aspiration and chromosomal analysis. The patient then received the appropriate management and continued to follow up with the hematology service. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the rarity of ocular involvement as an initial manifestation of chronic myeloid leukemia, and the importance of systemic work-up for the diagnosis of this entity. A multidisciplinary team approach involving ophthalmologists, hematologists, and oncologists is paramount for the diagnosis and management of CML.