Al-Battashy A, Al-Farsi N. When hematology meets ophthalmology: Cytomegalovirus retinitis in pediatric stem cell recipients. World J Stem Cells 2025; 17(7): 107153 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i7.107153]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Nouf Al-Farsi, FRCS, MD, Chief Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 38 P.C. 123 Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman. noufalfarsi@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Ophthalmology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Stem Cells. Jul 26, 2025; 17(7): 107153 Published online Jul 26, 2025. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i7.107153
When hematology meets ophthalmology: Cytomegalovirus retinitis in pediatric stem cell recipients
Aisha Al-Battashy, Nouf Al-Farsi
Aisha Al-Battashy, Department of Ophthalmology, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat 132, Oman
Nouf Al-Farsi, Department of Ophthalmology, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Co-first authors: Aisha Al-Battashy and Nouf Al-Farsi.
Author contributions: Al-Battashy A and Al-Farsi N wrote manuscript and are co-first authors of this article; Al-Farsi N reviewed manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Nouf Al-Farsi, FRCS, MD, Chief Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 38 P.C. 123 Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman. noufalfarsi@gmail.com
Received: March 17, 2025 Revised: May 11, 2025 Accepted: June 19, 2025 Published online: July 26, 2025 Processing time: 129 Days and 21.2 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Cytomegalovirus retinitis in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients is a complex and potentially devastating complication, but with early detection and appropriate management, outcomes can be significantly improved. Screening protocols continue to evolve, with the emphasis on identifying high-risk patients during periods of immune reconstitution. Management of cytomegalovirus retinitis in pediatric patients post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant requires a comprehensive approach that balances effective viral suppression with the mitigation of drug-related toxicities. Antiviral therapies, whether systemic, intravitreal, or implantable, remain central to treatment. Adjunctive immunotherapies, particularly adoptive T-cell therapy, offer promising outcomes in refractory cases. Emerging modalities, including high-dose intravitreal regimens and novel antivirals, hold potential for future advancements. Individualized treatment plans, guided by patient-specific risk factors and disease severity, are crucial to optimize outcomes and preserve vision in this vulnerable population.
