Dry eyes & deteriorating vision

[Merridith]

Hi everyone:

I took the usual chemo: 4 A/C, 4 Taxol followed by 1 year of Herceptin. (Last infusion this December!!!!!!!!!! Yahoo!!)

I am currently being plagued by very dry eyes and deteriorating vision. When I started the treatment, I had 20/20 vision. After the A/C taxol combo, I got my first pair of glasses for distance. A year later, I believe that I need new ones. I also think that my close up vision needs correcting as well.

Although I realise that age + menopause are positively correlated to vision deterioration, I am also blaming the chemo for what appears to be sudden rapid deterioration. Are other people experiencing the same?

Also DRY eyes!!! They are driving me nuts. I am putting both artificial tears in my eyes PLUS eye gel every couple of hours. I even put the drops in at night a couple of times. Last night, one eye was so dry that the eyeball actually adhered in one small part to the eyelid! Wow was that painful!

Is there experience out there in dealing with this? Does it go away after the Herceptin stops?

I have also heard that chemo really escalates your probability of getting cataracts. Has anyone else heard this?

Thanks in advance for your best tips!
Merridith

[Sandy H]

Have you seen a specialist for dry eyes? I had to have a tear duct reconstruction before I was diagnosed with cancer. It felt like I had sand in my eyes terrible at night and nothing would help. It was caused from scar tissue from having so many sinus infections my whole life. The other side was half closed off but so far I have not needed to get that one done. The eye surgeon told me to stay out of cigarette smoke, if not, I would need to have it done again. He said cigarettte smoke is the biggest cause of tear duct blockage. When the eyes are dry the vision if not clear. This is just a suggestion. You are correct that chemo can cause cataracts. I just had my vision checked for it and so far no progression since 1 1/2 years ago. I have dry eyes but the artificial tears take care of it as long as I use them 2 or 3 times a day. Keep us posted. hugs, Sandy

[bmuenks]

I had similiar problems. During Herceptin I had my distance lens changed twice. I've been off herceptin for 4 months and I think I need to have the distance lens changed again. I've seen optomotrists and opthmalologist and they have concluded that it must be the herceptin because nothing else could be causing the problem. I hope it stablilizes soon and I expect it probably already has. I hope my next lens change will be the last one for a long time. The Docs told me that as long as they can correct my vision with lenses, it's nothing to be concerned about and I have a long way to go before that would become a problem. Good luck! Berta

[heblaj01]

Merridith.
The CASEY EYE INSTITUTE at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) keeps an updated National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects.
Although a quick look into the registry did not reveal a link between some of the drugs you have taken & eye health that does not mean that none were involved in your eyesight problems. It has taken many years before MD's complaints reached the registry for such drugs as Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) or Aredia (Pamidronate).
If your caregiver believes your occular troubles are related to cancer treatments you should encourage him to report it to the registry at:
http://www.ohsuhealth.com/cei/education/drug.asp

If you want to peer into the registry to find some unsuspected troublemaker drugs or vitamin supplements go to:
http://piodr.sterling.net/staticContent/AAO%20Syllabus%202006.pdf
DRUG-RELATED ADVERSE EFFECTS OF CLINICAL IMPORTANCE TO THE OPHTHALMOLOGIST

[Mary Jo]

Hi Meredith,

I, too, experienced very dry eyes and eyelid swelling AFTER my chemo treatments ended last Nov. 2005. It was awful. The Docs all said it was allergies (WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE) - It lasted a few months and now I have no troubles whatsoever. I think the chemo drugs did that to my eyes. I really do.

Mary Jo

[R.B.]

You might like to search on this site on omega three and dry eyes. I think I have posted some links on this.

There are suggestion omega three may help with dry eyes.

It is certainly esential to the functioning of the visual system.

RB

[rinaina]

I suffered terribly with my eyes while on chemo, A/C. My cornea became affected due to the dryness and I was a mess for a long time. I was on steroid drops and antibiotic drops as well as artificial tears and gel. I am still using gel and tears and had both tear ducts blocked so my eyes would retain some moisture. To make matters worse, I have a condition called Sjogren's Syndrome and that causes dry eyes as well. My eyes have not felt well but feel a bit better. Not sure what the connection is between Herceptin and the eyes though?

[sherri]

I had AC+T dose dense from Jan-2005-April 2005, I didn't have problem with dry eyes. I started Herceptin in May 2005 and finished it May 2006. My problem with dry eyes stared in May, I did a lot of research and it seems the Vaccine at UW and I think Herceptin both that target HER2 are the cause of Dry eyes.

[Merridith]

Thanks everyone. You came up with some ideas that I hadn't thought of. You guys are great! I think I am going to follow up with an opthamologist.

See ya!
Merridith