taxol & vision changes

Pam P · 08-22-2009, 04:51 AM

Last fall/winter I was on taxol/avastin & having vision problems. Things seemed blurry and I couldn't see distance with or without glasses as well as I used to. I was also having lots of sinus and other colds/viruses that I thought might be causing this. I went to the eye dr. twice & both times had a slightly different prescription in left eye - mostly in the astigmatism ranges. I have had cataract surgery in both eyes & artificial lens from that so technically the vision shouldn't change. Anyway my infections cleared up and my vision improved. And I went from taxol / avastin to gemzar.

Now I'm back on taxol with carbo. Again I'm experiencing vision issues - same thing - can't see distance as sharply as before -- or even detail on the TV set 8-10 feet away. But sometimes it seems better than others. I don't have any sinus or virus issues going on.

Since the cataract surgery I've been able to not have to wear glasses - but do like them for driving especially at night. I need to get new glasses soon but I don't know what to do about the correction... my current glasses don't seem to help as much now as they did before I restarted the taxol. Do I get my eyes tested again now & go with what's current prescription now? If/when I get off taxol then take the chance that the new glasses won't help? As you know glasses aren't cheap!

How have others adapted to vision changes due to chemo?

Ellie F · 08-22-2009, 06:48 AM

Hi Pam
Since having taxotere my vision has definitely got much worse. It is now often blurry and things I could easily see before I started are now much harder. At first I thought it was due to watery eyes from the herceptin but now think its the taxotere. It is annoying as I just bought a new pair of reading glasses just before treatment and now they are no good
Ellie

Lori R · 08-22-2009, 07:13 AM

Pam,
I too was on taxotere and felt that my eye sight was getting worse. At the completion of 6 rounds of chemo I went and had my eyes checked and there didn't appear to be any measureable changes. Hmmmm...I would have SWORN there was.

It did not continue to get worse but I can't say that I feel like things improved either.

Very annoying.

Midwest Alice · 08-22-2009, 12:45 PM

Lori, I can say almost the very same story. My eye checkup did not show measureful change... but I could have thought there was.

ElaineM · 08-22-2009, 03:39 PM

Hi all,
Taxanes ( Taxotere, Taxol, Abraxane etc.) can cause vision problems like sensitivity to light, conjunctivitis, cornea damage, dryness, and loss of vision according to one of the oncology nurses who worked in my doc's office. I overheard her telling another patient to wear sunglasses and a hat outside to avoid those eye problems. I asked her about it after that. She told me the same information. I looked it up and found the same thing. The information should be listed in the possible side effect section on the websites for those medicines.
www.taxotere.com, www.taxol.com, www.abraxane.com
Otherwise you should be able to call the 1-800 number for the drug companies that make those drugs and talk to a pharmacist. Most drug companies that make cancer medicines have patient help lines where patients can talk to pharmacists and ask questions about side effects.
By the way, I saw a ENT doc recently to check my ears.
My ears are just fine. However, he said that platin types of chemo (carboplatin, cisplatin etc. )can cause hearing loss, so anyone taking those drugs should have a hearing test once in awhile. Good tip !!

StephN · 08-22-2009, 04:43 PM

Hi Pam -
The taxanes tended to bother my eyesight as well.

I made do with what I had and then got new ones a couple months after finishing the treatment.

Do you by chance have some older frames that could get new lenses - just to tide you over? My insurance pays for lenses once a year.

Westcoastgirl · 08-23-2009, 10:27 AM

I just finished Taxol and have noticed a steady decline in my vision throughout chemo to the point I am not sure I want to drive and haven't been. Distance and close vision have been affected, eyes are often teary, itchy, and blurry. I can't even see faces across the room. I have found that it ALL affects my vision; all of the chemotherapy, Herceptin and have also noticed another decline in vision with the Zometa. I read about Zometa and conjunctivitis is a common side effect. I have decided to just feel my way around the house, tape broom handles to my arms to allow the book to be far enough away, gotten out the magnifying glass, and will just endure until I am far out of treatment before getting new glasses. Gosh, cancer treatment just keeps giving and giving, doesn't it.

Sheila · 08-24-2009, 05:31 AM

Pam
My vision worsened the 2 years on Taxol....kept getting stronger glasses, and also used Restasis regularly for the dry eyes....it could be the Taxol or it could be the steroids...both can play havoc on the eyes. Hope your eyes improve....you may need to see the eye Dr more often....I kept blaming it on age...I think it was the Taxol!!!!!

ElaineM · 08-24-2009, 07:06 AM

I was just reading that Decadron (a steriod)which is given before many kinds of chemo including Taxotere and Taxol to prevent some of the more dangerous side effects can contribute to vision problems too. People taking these two drugs together may be getting a double dose of vision problems.

sandyinde · 09-02-2009, 09:36 AM

I've been on TCH until I got a really bad rash -- so bad my oncologist has changed my regimen to AC for two treatments followed by 2 of Taxol. I wrote about this in a separate thread on rashes.

When I got the rash after my second treatment, it felt as if it was affecting my eyes. Ever since (three weeks and a day), my vision seems blurry and my eyes feel dry or watery, etc.

I'm hoping it was the taxotere that I will not get anymore.

I am going to see my eye doctor tomorrow.

Sandy