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Your Eyes After Transplant

Your Eyes After Transplant

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 Ocular graft-versus-host disease is often thought of as dry eyes — but for many transplant recipients, the earliest signs can look very different. In this episode of Thrive!, we take a focused deep dive into ocular GVHD, a complication that can affect vision after allogeneic, or donor, stem cell transplant. Drawing from the expertise of Dr. Katie Luo of Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, we explore how ocular GVHD develops, why symptoms can begin subtly, and what early warning signs patients and care partners should pay attention to. You’ll hear how changes like crusting on the lashes, increased tearing, light sensitivity, or difficulty with everyday vision can be early signs of inflammation — and why recognizing and reporting those changes early matters. We also discuss the importance of monitoring eye health during periods when the immune system is being activated, and how working with eye specialists who understand GVHD can help protect long-term vision. This episode also includes a brief news update focused on trust and communication between patients and providers, and highlights a BMT InfoNet resource designed to help people living with GVHD find knowledgeable care closer to home. Whether you’re navigating ocular GVHD now, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand this condition more clearly, this episode offers practical context, expert insight, and reassurance that paying attention — even to subtle changes — matters. Resources and links referenced in this episode: Deep Dive Presentation Dr. Katie Luo – Graft-versus-Host Disease: What to Do When It Affects Your Eyes https://bmtinfonet.org/video/graft-versus-host-disease-what-do-when-it-affects-your-eyes News Article Mentioned Medscape – Tips for Talking to Patients About Health-Related Misinformation https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/tips-talking-patients-about-health-related-misinformation-2026a100025h?ecd=WNL_trdalrt_pos1_260125_etid8056324&uac=291963MK&impID=8056324 Something That May Help BMT InfoNet – Directory of GVHD Clinics, Specialists, and Subspecialists https://bmtinfonet.org/gvhd-directory Connect with BMT InfoNet LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmt-infonet/ X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/bmtinfonet Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/bmtinfonet.bsky.social Chapter Markers 00:00:01 Welcome! 00:00:52 Updates – Why Trust Matters in Medical Conversations 00:03:21 A Quick Note 00:04:31 Something That May Help – GVHD Providers 00:06:18 Deep Dive – Cold Open 00:07:43 Deep Dive – Your Eyes After Transplant 00:08:42 Deep Dive – Understanding What GVHD Is 00:10:41 Deep Dive – The Early Warning Signs Most Patients Miss 00:13:02 Deep Dive – What Triggers Ocular GVHD to Start 00:14:18 Deep Dive – How Ocular GVHD Damages the Eyes 00:15:05 Deep Dive – What You Can Do: Prevention and Daily Care 00:16:35 Deep Dive – Lubrication, Medications, and Procedures 00:18:39 Deep Dive – When Surgery Should and Should Not Be Used 00:21:13 Deep Dive – Hope, Advocacy, and Empowerment 00:22:45 Deep Dive – Takeaways 00:23:51 One Last Thought Stay Connected with BMT InfoNet BMT InfoNet provides trusted information and compassionate support for anyone affected by stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy. www.bmtinfonet.org Contact the Thrive! Team Questions, feedback, or topic ideas: thrive@bmtinfonet.org Get Involved Support BMT InfoNet’s mission and stay informed. Donate: bmtinfonet.org/form/donationEmail Updates: bmtinfonet.org/email-signupPay It Forward: bmtinfonet.org/transplant-article/pay-it-forward Explore Resources Education, connection, and practical support.Events & Workshops: bmtinfonet.org/eventsSupport Groups: bmtinfonet.org/support-groupsResource Directory: bmtinfonet.org/resource-directoryPatient Assistance Fund: bmtinfonet.org/patient-assistance-fund Follow BMT InfoNet Facebook: facebook.com/BMTInfoNet Instagram: instagram.com/bmtinfonet LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/bmtinfonet X (Twitter): twitter.com/bmtinfonet Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/bmtinfonet.bsky.social YouTube: youtube.com/BMTInfoNet Produced by La Strada Productions for BMT InfoNet www.lastrada.productions
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