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Managing Ocular Graft-versus-Host Disease

Summary:
Managing Ocular Graft-versus-Host Disease

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:

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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