Ocular and Orbital Infections in the Immunocompromised Cancer Patient

Abstract

Significant progress has been made in the treatment of cancer patients, and the proportion of cancer patients achieving complete remission and longer survival has increased in recent years. However, a significant proportion of patients still do not achieve complete remission, and infection remains a frequent cause of treatment failure, particularly in patients with hematologic malignancies. Ocular and orbital infections are particularly important, not only because of their frequency but also because of the associated local and systemic morbidity. Opportunistic infections can be found in all areas in and around the eye: in extraocular locations (neuro-ophthalmic, orbital, ocular adnexa), in the anterior segment (cornea and conjunctiva), and in the posterior segment (retina and choroid). All opportunistic infections of the eye have their origin in suppression of the host’s immune system. Immune suppression can be acquired as a result of immunosuppressive therapy in solid organ transplant recipients or chemotherapy in patients with myeloproliferative disorders or solid tumors. Neutropenia remains the most important factor predisposing patients to infections.