Retinal ischemia with neovascularization in cisplatin related retinal toxicity

PURPOSE: To report a case of macular ischemia and retinal neovascularization in a patient who received cisplatin related chemotherapy. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A patient with germ cell testicular tumor received polychemotherapy (bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin or BEP) for a recurrence of his tumor. Ten weeks after completion of treatment, he presented with loss of vision in his left eye. RESULTS: Fluorescein angiography revealed bilateral retinal ischemia and left retinal neovascularization. Panretinal laser photocoagulation was performed. Unfortunately, his vision did not improve. CONCLUSIONS: Like interferon, cisplatin related chemotherapy could cause considerable ocular morbidity. It can cause marked irreversible visual loss at therapeutic dose, and it is not well recognized. Retinal neovascularization related to cisplatin therapy has not been previously reported. Physicians should be aware and warn patients of the potential ophthalmic side effects of cisplatin related chemotherapy.