Revolutionizing Ocular Health

Integrating Pro-ocular™ into Cancer Care

Because oGVHD is so prevalent and can progress insidiously, proactive management of ocular health should be a part of any cancer patient’s treatment plan when undergoing a transplant. Early involvement of ophthalmology and routine monitoring can catch oGVHD in its initial stages. In fact, experts recommend comprehensive eye examinations starting at 3 months post-transplant (no later than 6 months) and at least annually thereafter. This is critical because symptoms of chronic oGVHD (like dry, gritty eyes or mild blurriness) may be subtle at first, and patients might attribute them to generic dryness or chemotherapy side effects. Unfortunately, many transplant patients do not see an eye specialist regularly, so oGVHD is often underdiagnosed – its true incidence is likely underestimated due to limited ophthalmologic follow-up in transplant clinics. For oncologists, this means taking initiative in ocular screening and care: even simple questionnaires (OSDI) or basic dry-eye tests in clinics can help flag issues early.

Just as importantly, preventive and adjunctive therapies should be considered to manage oGVHD before it severely impacts vision. Current management has largely been reactive and symptomatic. Traditional approaches borrowed from severe dry eye disease include aggressive lubrication (frequent preservative-free artificial tears) and controlling tear evaporation with ointments or moisture goggles. To reduce inflammation, clinicians often resort to topical corticosteroid drops earlier in oGVHD than they would for routine dry eye. While steroids can help quell ocular surface inflammation and limit scarring, they come with well-known risks like infection, glaucoma, and cataracts.