Central vein occlusion

A month after finishing my final VAD cycle for myeloma and 2 days after my stem cell harvest I developed blurred vision in my left eye. Harvest link
An appointment was made to see the eye clinic at the hospital where the eye was inspected and tests were carried out.
Results indicated the left eye showed a mild central vein occlusion. No treatment was required and I was advised that over the next 3 months my vision would either improve or deteriorate. My left eye improved and returned to normal.
Central vein occlusion is associated with abnormalities of blood flow and can be caused by systemic disease processes including multiple myeloma, protein C and S deficiency. [Source: causes link] I have read elsewhere but can’t find the source that the use of warfarin may contribute as well.
At diagnose (June 2001) I suffered a DVT in my right calf and was given warfarin therapy. DVT link
It was noted in my medical notes that the left eye central vein occlusion was felt to be secondary to my hypercoagulable state as a consequence of myeloma.

My sequence of events at time of blurred vision was:
Saturday 28th Oct: Warfarin therapy stopped. Low weight heparin commenced.
Wednesday 31st Oct: Apheresis line inserted.
Thursday 1st Nov: Stem cell harvest day 1 of 2.
Friday 2nd Nov: Stem cell harvest day 2 of 2.
Sunday 4th Nov: Blurred vision left eye first noticed.
Monday 5th Nov: Warfarin therapy recommenced.
Wednesday 7th Nov: Heparin stopped.

Sid’s theory on reasons why:
Two days of stem cell harvest moved my blood around like in a washing machine, disturbed the blood cells causing some coagulation to move into the fine blood vessels of the left eye.

Three and a half years later (April 2005) I developed blurred vision in my right eye.
An appointment was made to see the eye clinic at the hospital where the eye was inspected and tests were carried out.
Results indicated the right eye showed a mild central vein occlusion. No treatment was required and I was advised that over the next 3 months my vision would either improve or deteriorate. My right eye improved and returned to normal.
Can’t blame the stem cell harvest this time.

This is one of “part 2” a series of postings relating to my autologous stem cell transplant for myeloma. As they are complete the posting series can be found under labels/part 2 [Part 2 link.]

Glossary:
Hypercoagulable state: A hypercoagulable state is the medical term for a condition in which there is an abnormally increased tendency toward blood clotting (coagulation).
DVT: Deep vein thrombosis.