A case series: cytomegalovirus retinitis following autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation: a call for early detection and aggressive management

CMV retinitis is an emerging and serious complication after auto-HCT, strongly correlated with prolonged immunosuppression-particularly from T-cell-depleting monoclonal antibodies and corticosteroids-resulting in sustained CD4⁺ T lymphopenia. To enable early detection and intervention that may improve visual outcomes, we advocate for proactive ophthalmologic surveillance in patients-particularly those with high-risk persistent CMV DNAemia, severe lymphopenia, or any ocular symptoms (irrespective of systemic CMV DNAemia status). This surveillance should comprise extended immune monitoring and routine fundoscopic examinations to facilitate timely diagnosis.