This is something that is not heard or talked about often, even by some doctors, and that is chemo can sometimes leads to damage to the eyes, especially the optic nerve, leading to blurred vision. Peripheral loss, and even blindness, especially with Cisplatin, other platinum drugs, Taxanes, 5-FU, and many more. Even lowered immune systems can lead to optic infections causing eye problems, and radiation has its risk too.

One condition caused by Chemo, Cisplstin, Taxanes, I know of is Optic Ischemic Neuropathy, caused by damage to the optic nerve. This happened to me, which led to a secondary condition, Neovascular Glaucoma, and now I'm totally blind in my left eye, which required eye surgery at one of the top eye and ear hospitals in the country, and weekly visits to the Opthomolgist to try save my vision, at least in one eye.

There are other causes of these conditions, so sometimes chemo drugs can't be pinpointed, but in my case I know it was since I didn't even wear eyeglasses before my 5 day Induction of TPF..Taxotere, Cisplatin and 5-FU, and had eye problems immediately afterwards while hospitalized. My Opthomologist said it could be a cause, but would never really know.

Even though I was hospitalized, my eyes were not treated or examined properly by an Opthomologist at that time due to life saving mesdures. As such, I would recommend anyone having chemo, even radiation, to see an Opthomolgist during, and after treatments for an eye examination, and to tell your oncologist of any vision changes. The chemo can be reduced, changed or eliminated to avoid anymore adverse side effects.

When asked, I have found few doctors who were not involved in my care initial care, fully understand when I say the blindness is from chemo, being it's very uncommon, but does, and can happen, and once it's gone, it may not return.

The reason I bring this up is that I just finished 6 weeks of Chemoradiation, and again my eyes were irritated, dry, told MO, who cut out Taxotere, and as soon as I could, I went to my Opthomolgist, who did an eye dilation test, and scan of the optic nerve in my working eye, which was fine, and prescribed cortisone cream for the dryness on the outside, and OTC dry eye drops.

Paul,

You add new meaning to the phrase "been there, done it".

Thanks David. I've been lucky too, in some aspects, and glad to be here.

You probably also give new meaning to the word "lucky" as well. lol

Excellent point. You should see an ophthalmologist BEFORE treatment for an adequate baseline and follow up annually. Find one that understands what pre-treatment evaluation means. If headaches suddenly start after treatment see a neurological ophthalmologist because they will evaluate brain scans, Circle of Willis, etc. I too have developed a form of glaucoma called wide angle that popped post treatment.

Good point about pre-treatment baseline, and other suggestions.

Paul,

I've been on the OCF forum for a few years and I don't recall this issue being discussed before. You really have "been there, done it" as David said, so thanks for posting this issue. I wish you the best!

Thank you Susan. I hope to put that "done it" stuff behind me lol.

Paul, your "done it" list is a lot longer than most on this forum, so I sure hope that your are done adding to it! I wish you nothing but good health in the future!