Cytarabine and the eye: Exploring the benign yet debilitating corneal epithelial toxicity

This case report discusses a rare, but significant side effect of intravenous cytarabine chemotherapy: corneal epithelial toxicity. A 10-year-old male diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) presented with severe symptoms of corneal epithelial toxicity just 3 days after starting intravenous cytarabine. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of moxifloxacin and dexamethasone eye drops and tear substitutes. The discussion highlights the need for ophthalmic evaluation and prophylactic topical corticosteroids to prevent corneal epithelial toxicity in patients receiving systemic cytarabine. While corneal epithelial toxicity is a benign side effect in a malignant disease, the suffering of an already debilitated patient is significant. This case report emphasizes the importance of understanding the adverse reactions of chemotherapy and the need for preventive measures.