Sometimes the earliest signs of a complication don’t look the way we expect.
For people who undergo an allogeneic stem cell transplant (a transplant using donor stem cells), graft-versus-host disease — or GVHD — can affect many parts of the body. One of the areas it can impact is the eyes, where symptoms often begin subtly and may be mistaken for common dryness or irritation.
In this episode of Thrive!, we take a closer look at ocular GVHD and how it can affect vision and eye health after transplant. Guided by Dr. Katie Luo of Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, this Deep Dive explores how ocular GVHD develops, why early symptoms may appear gradually, and what warning signs patients and care partners should watch for.
You’ll hear how changes such as crusting on the lashes, increased tearing, light sensitivity, or difficulty with everyday vision can signal inflammation affecting the surface of the eye — and why recognizing those symptoms early can help protect long-term eye health. We also discuss why regular monitoring during periods of immune activation is important, and how working with eye specialists familiar with GVHD can make a meaningful difference in care.
In this week’s news update, we examine a recent Medscape article exploring how physicians are navigating conversations with patients about health-related misinformation, and the importance of trust and clear communication in medical decision-making. We also highlight BMT InfoNet’s directory of GVHD clinics and specialists — a resource designed to help transplant survivors locate providers experienced in managing graft-versus-host disease.
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CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 Welcome!
00:52 Updates – Why Trust Matters in Medical Conversations
03:21 A Quick Note
04:31 Something That May Help – GVHD Providers
06:18 Deep Dive – Cold Open
07:43 Deep Dive – Your Eyes After Transplant
08:42 Deep Dive – Understanding What GVHD Is
10:41 Deep Dive – The Early Warning Signs Most Patients Miss
13:02 Deep Dive – What Triggers Ocular GVHD to Start
14:18 Deep Dive – How Ocular GVHD Damages the Eyes
15:05 Deep Dive – What You Can Do: Prevention and Daily Care
16:35 Deep Dive – Lubrication, Medications, and Procedures
18:39 Deep Dive – When Surgery Should and Should Not Be Used
21:13 Deep Dive – Hope, Advocacy, and Empowerment
22:45 Deep Dive – Takeaways
23:51 One Last Thought
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RESOURCES MENTIONED 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
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https://www.facebook.com/bonemarrowstemcelltransplantclub
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thrive@bmtinfonet.org
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