Leukemic ophthalmopathy in children.

Abnormalities of the eye were detected in 52 of 657 children (9%) suffering from acute leukemia. The treatment for leukemia was single agent chemotherapy administered sequentially. "Prophylactic" treatment of the central nervous system was not administered. Major manifestations of leukemic ophthalmopathy comprised retinal hemorrhage (in 19) and infiltration of the optic nerve, retina, iris or orbit (29). The ophthalmopathy was treated by topical dexamethasone and radiation therapy. Concurrent bone marrow relapse occurred in most patients. Twenty-seven of 29 patients whose cerebrospinal fluid was examined before or at the time of the onset of leukemic ophthalmopathy demonstrated meningeal leukemia. In contrast, this complication has not been observed in recent patients who received "prophylactic" treatment for meningeal leukemia. Leukemic invasion of the eye should receive appropriate recognition; the posterior pole should be included in the treatment of the central nervous system as a pharmacologic sanctuary.