VIsion Problems after Treatment

Pure

VIsion Problems after Treatment

Pure

I have noticed my vision (which was already really bad) get worse now that I have had treatment. I have to hold my blackberry farther away to read. I have trouble focusing.  Has anyone had this happen? I am assuming it was the chemo as I don't think Tamoxifin does that.

I have been done with chemo for 2 and half months  and 2 weeks ago I ended rads-so should my vision be getting worse?

Leah_S

I also had worsening of my already terrible vision when I was on chemo. It took quite a few months, but it did get better.

Leah

hrf

My vision actually improved significantly on chemo. And that happened both times. Now that I'm almost 1 year out, it has gone back to what it was. I think it has to do with the shape of the eye and the fluid levels.

Mandy1313

I had worsening of my vision from chemo.   The steroids that they use during chemo can affect vision and so can some of the chemo drugs.

I actually ended up going to an ophthalmologist during my chemo because I could not figure out what was going on with my eyes.    When it was reported to my onc, she was not surprised and changed my treatment a bit (and did away with steroids altogether). 

The good news is that it is a year since I completed chemo and my vision is much better than during chemo!

DATO

My distance vision actually improved after chemo.  The optomatrist said he had seen it happen before, but rarely.  It probably has something to do with the type of vision problems you had in the beginning. My near vision is starting to decline, but that is probably just age related.

Pure

lol well my issue is my vision IMPROVED so my contacts are too strong. lol Finally, something in my favor....lol

jenn3

Jenn - I am just seeing this thread and the funny thing is I just went to the eye doctor because I've been having problems.

First, my arms seem to have suddently shrunk and I can no longer see small writing

Second, I've been having this terrible pain in my left eye and my eyes water a lot in the am

Third, I have black spots in the white part of my eye above the color.

I decided that the pain was caused from eye cancer and made and appt.  My vision has actually improved since my last visit.  However, because I am at the ripe age of 44 and maybe chemo my shrinking arms mean I need bifocals or just deal with it until I'm ready for bifocals.  And....the weird dots and pain, well it's not eye cancer.  The dots are pigmintation that have always been there and the pain is because I have very dry eyes caused from the chemo - all I need are drops to moisten the eyes.

KittyDog

I too just went to the eye Dr. recently.  My arms didn't stretch far enough anymore either and I was seeing shadow vision in my right eye.  It turns out that chemo changed my tear productiona and all I needed too was a lens wetting drops. 

KerryMac

Jenn - you gave me a chuckle! Why do we do this to ourselves?? So glad to hear it's just normal old eyes!

Sunflower64

hey jen,

my eyes got worse too!!!  they are still bad and i finished chemo in october 09. hopefully they will get better. my onco said chemo does effect your eyes.

i pm you.

diane

jenn3

As if BC and the treatment doesn't do enough to our bodies...........the gift that keeps on giving.

Flamin_nora

When I casually mentionned to my radiation oncologist that my eyesight had become "wonky" following treatment,je took a close look at my eyes, had me due a few little tests and concluded that I had "proptosis" aka bug eye....this is apparently a symptom of hyperthyroidism.......it explained why my contact lenses  kept popping out---they didn't fit anymore....

After further tests, they ruled out thyroid problems......and after about 3 months my eye no longer popped out......

Recently had my vision tested (6 months after the end of radiation) and what do you know, my eyesight is actually better than it has ever been!  No longer need to wear contact lenses at all!

 Had I known that, I would have had chemo and radiation treatment years ago! 

kimber3006

That is so cool that so many had vision improvements.  As far as I can tell, my eyes haven't changed, but we do have to reduce my synthroid (have hypothyroid).  I'm at a very low dose now and hoping I may just get to quit it altogether.  Maybe the rads zapped my thyroid back into proper function.  I'd sure love to have one less pill to take each day.

ktn

My onc had said not to get my eyes checked during chemo or right after. She said chemo does often worsen sight but it gets better after. I needed reading glasses to read everything and my eyes teared up easily. Now I'm doing so much better! I am 51 so do sometimes need reading glasses but otherwise have no further problems.

dlb823

Just saw this thread tonight and thought I'd share that I had a definite problem with night vision immediately after chemo -- to the point that I was reluctant to drive at night for several months.  Things just seemed slightly out of focus, and I felt like I wasn't seeing into the shadows at the edge of the road quite as well.  My onc told me it was probably a temporary SE (I had TC), and he was right.  It cleared up within 3 or 4 mos.  Back then (10/08 time frame), there was another thread about this, with several women reporting some noticeable problems.  So I really do believe that chemo can affect our eyesight.  Afterall, it totally wipes out our lashes, and many of us get the teary eyes at some point in tx, so it's probably impacting other delicate eye tissues as well.    Deanna

3jaysmom

there is a serious side effect with chemo that needs to be cked w/ opthmologist, not an optometrist. it seems chemo can cause too much pressure in the eye, and untreated, its very serious.. i had to use eye drops for the duration of chemo, and a few mos. later, but it lessned considerably, and is perfect 6 mos. later    light and love,    3jaysmom

Claire_in_Seattle

About 4 weeks following last Taxol, I couldn't see anything.  Glasses didn't work and contacts had constant gunk on them.  This went on for about 3 weeks.  I still need my eyes checked but am waiting for everything to stabelize first.

I was really in trouble cycling as couldn't see where I was going + spring pollen.

It got better.

I will mention to anyone who is looking at bifocals that they make bifocal contacts.  I can't do monovision (one near, one distance) so these have been a godsend.

I WISH everything had waited until I was 44 to change.  Being farsighted (+6!!!) means I got this about 7 years sooner. 

And I didn't have to worry at all with my arm not being long enough as ideal focal distance is something like Uranus.

Faith316

Also, remember that vision changes can also be attributed to diabetes.  My oncologist told me ahead of time that my chemo would most likely make me diabetic, and it did.  (I think the steroids had a lot to do with that.)  Have your blood sugar checked and maybe an A1C test, too.

Blarney1828

My opthamalogist said chemo can definitely make eyesight worse. Can cause cataracts as can aromatase inhibitors