Ocular complications in patients with beta thalassemia major after bone marrow transplantation: a single center study

Aim To assess the ocular complications in patients with Beta thalassemia major after Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). Patients and methods A retrospective cohort analysis included 31 children and adolescents aged 1.5–14 years who underwent BMT for beta thalassemia major. Ophthalmologic evaluation conducted before Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Results Of the 31 patients, five (16.1%) experienced subconjunctival hemorrhage, while six (19.4%) developed dry eye syndrome, with notable correlations identified between these complications and clinical factors such as graft-versus-host disease, corticosteroid administration, and disease severity as assessed by the Pesaro risk score. Conclusion Ocular complications are prevalent in beta thalassemia patients post-BMT, These findings underscore the necessity for routine eye surveillance in this patient demographic to identify and address these consequences.