tamoxifen vision problems after only 2-3 months

lisa-e

bdavis, If you are having blurry vision shortly after starting tamoxifen, I would see your optometrist or ophthalmologist.  Tamoxifen can cause cataracts, as can AI's.  I developed cataracts within two months of starting arimidex.  

coraleliz

bdavis-I saw the opthamologist last week for vision issues. Lack of clarity & some blurring. I was told that I was having accomodation problems related to the Tamox. I was on the Tamox for just over 3 months. He said to wait another 3 months because my eyes wil continue to try & adjust. When I go back(in 3 months), they will test my vision & dialate my eyes to check my retinas. I was told it's too early for signs of cataracts to show.

kk11

I am curious about eye issues with Tamoxifen. I've been on it for 3 months. I'm not having issues except for at night when I'm driving. I feel there is a huge glare from other headlights. Is that a side effect from chemo or from Tamoxifen? I hate that I can't pinpoint it to one or the other.

Kleenex

Betsy - I have been taking Tamoxifen now for a bit over three fun-filled years. I had issues with dry eyes and all sorts of other fun side effects in the beginning, but most of those have moderated out now. Sometimes my eyes feel a bit dry, but it's not very often and it's NOTHING like the beginning. I ended up switching out my brand of contacts, and while I was using things like Systane, I'm not needing that any more. I am thinking it took about 4 or 5 months before I noticed that I was doing better. Use the drops and see what else you might be able to do and give yourself some time. My mom has BIG issues with dry eye due to structural abnormalities in one eyelid, and she avocates all sorts of things: avoid wind, take your heater setting up and consider blocking off vents at night so dry heated air doesn't blow on you, etc. There are thicker drops you can use at night to get a good restful dose of nighttime moisture, etc.

Also coinciding with Tamoxifen-related dryness fun for me was age-related issues with near vision while wearing contacts (my eyes decided to refuse to easily read things up close while I had my -3.50 contacts on, but I can read up close just fine with nothing). So now I have much more expensive contacts that are "multi-focal" and highly oxygen permeable. I LOVE them. I can even sleep in them, though I don't. Part of the difficulty here in dealing with side effects is the sad reality that some of the body's systems are getting wacky just because I'm 48, so while they might be exacerbated by the Tamoxifen, probably I'm just experiencing what I would experience in a few years anyway...

amym159

Glad to find this thread. I've been on tamox for 2 plus years and have been really bothered by dry burning eyes for a couple months. I thought it was allergies! It sounds like this may be a fairly common side effect. I'm going to schedule an appt with an eye doctor.

MaggieJ

Also glad to have found this thread. BC in 2010, surgery, chemo and radiation.  I've been on Tamoxifen for about 6 months - previously on Femara and Aromasin with very severe side effects and taken off them. Since starting Tamoxifen I've developed double vision (when I look sideways to the left only) and  blurred vision, especially left eye. Opthalmologist says cataracts are now developing. Vision has deteriorated quite a lot in left eye as well. Also very dry eyes. Using eye drops 4 times per day or more has helped (Cellufresh). My opthalmologist aslo said to smooth vaseline around the eye on the outside (not inside) at night and this has helped to keep my eyes moist. Dry eyes have improved.

Has anyone else had double vision?   

jerseygirl84

I have been on Tamoxifen for about 2.5 years now.    I noticed a change in my vision durng my chemo treatments,  but it seemed to subside after my treatments were over.    However over the past 2.5 years my vision has gotten worse.   I can't read anything without my reading glasses,  and I have dry eyes and lot's of floaters that have increased lately.   I am seeing my eye doctor this afternoon,   I do believe Tamoxifen may be the cause of my eye issues after reading the previous posts.   The floaters bother me to the point where I am straining my eyes to see,  I have headaches and feel pressure in my eyes at times.    So hopefully i'll get an answer from my doctor today.  

coraleliz

jersey- the floaters are caused by vitrious detatchment. It's happened to both of my eyes since starting tamoxifen. I'm not really sure if I can blame tamoxifen for the floaters since 3 of my 5 siblings are going thru this also. My friends husband is also. None of these people are on medications of any kind.

 I do blame some things on Tamoxifen. It has definitely dried my eyes out & I just can't seem to find an eyedrop that works really well for it. I also have early cataracts, the left worse than the right. My thoughts on that, is that I would have gotten them anyway, just not so soon. I was 52 when diagnosed. My parents both had cataract surgery in their 60s. I have cataract surgery in my future, just sooner than I would like

corky60

This is such an important thread.  I've developed early macular degeneration in one eye.  My MO said that tamoxifen can cause that.  I am stopping tamoxifen in the hope that I don't have the same thing happen to the other eye.

DawnCT

Hi corky -  

You and I started Tamoxifen at the same time.   

I am sorry you have had this side effect.   What symptoms did you have?   I have noticed that my right eye's vision is a tad blurry.   

It really is scary! 

corky60

DawnCT, I have no symptoms, thankfully.  It was discovered by my optometrist during an eye exam.  A picture of the retina revealed the disease.  Now I have to absolutely have an annual eye exam without fail.  And if there are any symptoms I have to call my eye dr. right away.

DawnCT

Thank you for that information, Corky!   You have encouraged me to get in promptly for my eye exam!   

Stay well! 

KleeKai

I started tamoxifen 10/1/15 and had my annual eye exam 11/23/15. I decided to update my eyeglasses since I hadn't done so in three years. After having the lenses ground twice and still unable to read, I went back to the optometrist. Try as he might, he cannot correct the vision in my left eye, and he had a prescription change for my right eye. I have been referred to an ophthalmologist who specializes in retinal disorders. He also recommended I have an ocular coherence tomography exam. I couldn't get in to see the retinal specialist though until March. Thankfully I can still see fine with my current eyeglasses.

I've had dry eye syndrome for a few years prior to my breast cancer diagnosis. I have punctal plugs inserted every two months rather than do drops. The cornea of my left eye is cigar shape (elongated). The optician and optometrist have discussed whether tamoxifen may be the cause of the visual issues but until I see the retinal specialist I won't know for sure.

CidneyI

Wish I had found this tread a week ago.

Shortly after thanksgiving, I started having issues with my eyes hurting and waking up with either one or both looking bloody red. I thought it was pink eye at first and the dr treated it as such. A week later, same thing, this time the dr thought it must my allergy realted and gave me different type of drops to try. Again, the eye pain and redness returned. This time I went to an opthamologist and by pure luck, the eye dr knew all about Tamoxifen. He use to work at MD Anderson Cancer Center and was knew all about what Tamo was for and its side effects. Tamo is causing my eyes to be very dry to the point of having cornea issues and being extremely irritated. He told me to take 5,000mg of Vit D and Fish oil. He also gave me a prescription for eye drops I could only get at a compounding pharmacy. My eyes feel much better already even though Ive only done the drops for two days.

Jlsn11

Hi. I am having extremely dry eyes too. And double vision. I started Tamox about a year ago and noticed the double vision when driving. An experienced ophthalmologist found nothing. My oncologist doesn't think it's Tamox. I'm seeing another eye dr soon. Can you give me the name of the prescription you got at the compounding pharmacy

Thanks, it's scary stuff for sure.

Moderators

Hello Jlsn11, Welcome to the boards. We hope that you find some information here from other members that can be helpful. Here is a link to information on our site about Vision and Eye Problems. We hope that you will stay connected here. The MOds

yoga_girl

Radiation - vision issues

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/rad...

http://www.cancercenter.com/discussions/blog/eye-r...

Chemo - vision issues

http://csn.cancer.org/node/197578

http://csn.cancer.org/node/262045

Sharondegan86

My eyes just got worse with increasing eye pain, dryness, blurriness, extream redness, and finally increasing occular pressure. My oncologist also informed me that from the increased occular pressure that my pupils would constrict but be back to normal within 6-8 hours after dosing, hince the blurred vision and affects me most while driving during night time. Finally after being on Tamoxifen for 2 years 4 months the eye doctor diagnosed me with Tamoxifen-related ocular toxicitmy vison decreased over time, but the optometrist said it was due to aging, not the tamoxifen. Said the risk with tamox is cataracts, but it is very low. I took it for 5 years, now take Evista. Hope this helps.

-Sharon D.

yoga_girl

Sharondegan

Thanks so much for posting!

Some items I have found that help. . .

Recommend a Vitamin B1 blood test (full panel of B vitamins if covered on your insurance).

*****

MacuGuard™ Ocular Support

Lutein is one of the major components of macular pigment and it is essential to proper vision. Eating large quantities of lutein and zeaxanthin-containing vegetables can help provide the nutritional building blocks necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the macula. It's difficult, however, to increase systemic circulation of these important nutrients through food alone.

MacuGuard™ Ocular Support contains phospholipids, which are an integral part of the cell membrane. In addition to mixing well with other important fat-soluble components of the eye such as lutein, phospholipids have been shown to help support efficient absorption of dietary lutein in the blood stream as well.

Phospholipids have been shown in scientific research to improve systemic circulation and accumulations of lutein in the retina of the eyes, making them a potent all-around weapon in your arsenal for eye health.

MacuGuard™ Ocular Support offers triple eye protection:

• Supports concentration of lutein in the eye.
• Supports efficient absorption of lutein in the blood stream.
• Phospholipids enhance lutein in the cell membrane.
• Supports zeaxanthin concentrations in eye.
• Provides meso-zeaxanthin which is difficult to obtain from dietary sources.This formula provides ingredients that have been shown to protect healthy eyesight. Each capsule contains MacuGuard™ carotenoid phospholipid blend, which provides phospholipids, lutein, meso-zeaxanthin and trans-zeaxanthin, along with cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) from European black currant extract.

References 1. J Photochem Photobiol. 2002;68(1):39−44. 2. Nutrients. 2013 April; 5(4): 1169–1185. 3. Nutr Res. 2009;29(8):588−95. 4. Nutrition. 2011 Sep;27(9):960-6. 5. Lipids. 2009 Sep;44(9):799-806. 6. Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 Jan;281(1-2):103-10. 7. J Pharm. 2011 Jun 30;412(1-2):99-105. - See more at: http://www.lifeextensionvitamins.com/macuguard-ocular-support-life-extension-60-softgels.html#sthash.dhVmr3L9.dpuf

*****

Vitamin B1, B2, B6 deficiency and cancer

2012/03/18, 5:01 pm

It is generally known that healthy individuals seldom suffer of vitamin B1, B2, B6 deficiency. However, studies show that those exposed to chemotherapies, steroids (which are often used as anti-sickness drugs) and malnutrition, can develop vitamin B1, B2, and B6 deficiency. The lack of these vitamins can cause serious complications, such as:

• Decreased immunity
• Fatty liver
• Difficulties to digest meat and other proteins
• Difficulties to digest carbohydrates
• Difficulties to digest fat
• Neuropathy
• Balance problems
• Personality changes
• Difficulties with hair and nail growth and quality
• In addition B2 is needed to help the body change vitamin B6 and folate (vitamin B9) into forms it can use
• B2 is also important for body growth and red blood cell production

Inportant info about these vitamins: While Vitamin B1 is needed to metaboliza sugars (carbohydrates), Vitamin B2 si essential for the metabolism of fats, ketone bodies, carbohydrates, and proteins. Both vitamins playa key role in energy metabolism. Vitamin B2 is also needed to help the body change vitamin B6 and folate into forms it can use and is important for body growth and red blood cell production.

How did I found out about the risk of developing Vitamin B1, B2, B6 deficiency?

Vitamin B6 deficiency was listed as one of the side effects of a chemotherapy recently suggested to me. I started to study the issue and soon discovered that lack of vitamins B1 and B2 is even higher and consequences more serious. I do not want to create any panic. I just want to alert you about this issue. My doctors never raised the question in spite of showing majority of the symptoms caused by the vitamin B1, B2, and B6 deficiency. The blood tests were ordered as soon as I alerted my oncologist. But according to the Department of Oncology at University of Texas, "vitamin levels in the blood are often nondiagnostic and therefore identified on the basis of symptoms and the patient's response to the therapy". (The article is dated in 1990′s and the technology to detect traces of vitamins in the blood may have developed since then.)

Why use synthetic vitamin supplements and not food rich in these vitamins?

Because once you have developed vitamin B1 and B2 deficiency your body is not able to metabolize these vitamins from food rich in vitamins B1, B2 and B6.

Why not Vitamin B-complex tablets?

Do not opt for Vitamin B-complex tablets, as some synthetic vitamins from the B group (specifically Folate Acid which is also known as Vitamin B9) in a synthetic form should be avoided if you have cancer. Yet another reason to discuss vitamin deficiency with your doctor.

Sadly, in my own experience vitamin deficiencies and post-chemotherapy hormonal disorders seem to have low priority. I hope that the increasing focus on immunotherapy as a viable treatment for cancer will bring the function of vitamins forward.

Do not self-medicate, consult your doctor! Vitamin overdose is also dangerous!

You are welcome to discuss this article in our Forum. If you liked this post, you may be interested in an article about Folic Acid (synthetic form of Vitamin9) in food.

Overview Vitamin B1, B2, B6

The best overview of the Vitamin B1, B2 and B6 function that I have identified on the Internet is one published by University of Maryland

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-b1-000333.htm

Vitamin B1, also called thiamine or thiamin, is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, also help the body metabolize fats and protein. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. They also help the nervous system function properly, and are needed for good brain function.

All B vitamins are water-soluble, meaning that the body does not store them.

Like other B complex vitamins, thiamine is sometimes called an "anti-stress" vitamin because it may strengthen the immune system and improve the body's ability to withstand stressful conditions. It is named B1 because it was the first B vitamin discovered.

Thiamine is found in both plants and animals and plays a crucial role in certain metabolic reactions. Your body needs it to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which every cell of the body uses for energy.

It's rare to be deficient in thiamine, although alcoholics, people with Crohn' s disease, anorexia, and those undergoing kidney dialysis may be deficient. Symptoms of thiamine deficiency are fatigue, irritability, depression and abdominal discomfort. People with thiamine deficiency also have trouble digesting carbohydrates. That allows a substance called pyruvic acid to build up in their bloodstream, causing a loss of mental alertness, difficulty breathing, and heart damage, a disease known as beriberi.

Why2015

I got new glasses about a week ago and have been nauseous and have had many headaches. I got my glasses at a place different from where I had the original exam. Well there was a very sharp optometrist at the place where I bought the glasses, and he examined me today. When he found out I was on tamoxifen, he told me that five years should be the limit of taking it, because after that crystals can form in the eyes which then can lead to macular degeneration. He mentioned with AI's that eyes can be dry. Cancer and it's treatment is a bitch, there's no getting around it. It's the diagnosis that keeps taking and taking and taking. I guess I feel lucky to be alive, but my life is so compromised. My joints ache, I've gained weight and can't get rid of it in the middle. I lost my straight hair and have this fuzz on top of my head. I have tried to make the best of it, but I'm very discouraged. I am almost one year into the tamoxifen and I started in August 2016. He said maybe by the time the five years has that there may be some other drug available. Good luck to everyone. Whenever I post an answer I never get to see it.

Maggie74

may I ask what kind of eye drops your doctor put you on?

tlfrank

I just happened upon this post because I may have to take tamoxifen and am trying to prepare for the possible side effects.

My partners ophthalmologist recommended these drops: NanoTears MXP Forte Clear Emollient Lubricant Gel Eye Drops

Also recommended this supplement - but it's a little pricy: Pure Encapsulations - VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA

Maybe they would help.