LAUSR

Retinopathy in patients with haematological malignancy is a common finding, characterised by venous tortuosity, retinal haemorrhages, cotton wool spots and whitecentred haemorrhages (Roth spots). The frequency of intraretinal haemorrhages in patients with both acute myeloid and lymphoid malignancy may be as high as 42 per cent. Indeed, prior to the availability of bone marrow biopsy, the ophthalmologist was often consulted to examine the retina to confirm the diagnosis of leukaemia; however, the retinopathy is most frequently asymptomatic and is detected on routine examination after the haematological diagnosis has been made. We report an important exception, where our patient presented with visual symptoms and was subsequently diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML).