[Clinical aspects of leukemic infiltration of the choroid and the optic nerve].

A case of presumed leukemic infiltration of the choroid and two cases of leukemic involvement of the optic nerve are presented. These complications are rarely observed clinically. Leukemic infiltration of the choroid may cause a serous detachment of the retina, which is often bilateral. The fluoroangiographic aspect is similar to what is observed in acute choriocapillaris occlusion. Leukemic involvement of the optic nerve first appears as papilledema. In more advanced cases the optic disc and the peripapillary retina are covered by a white-yellowish infiltrate which protrudes into the vitreous. The diagnosis is confirmed by CT scan of the orbit and the cerebro-spinal fluid often contains leukemic cells. As optic nerve infiltration is often associated with CNS involvement the prognosis is usually poor. Intrathecal chemotherapy has little effect on the intraocular manifestations, which however respond to orbital radiotherapy.