Cataracts

Hi Shayne,

I was interested in your post because I too had DCIS and am concerned about cataracts. HOWEVER, that is because I am taking tamoxifen which is the only hormonal therapy my MO will prescribe for DCIS (regardless of menopause status). Tamoxifen is known to increase the risk of cataracts - so I switched from an optometrist to an opthalmologist for my eye care (my logic) So far, 3 years out - I have normal age related (62) cataracts which do not effect my vision) and - I have increased floaters and experienced, about two months apart the detachment of the eye jelly (not technical name!) from the retina pf each eye, apparently a normal age related thing that we aren't warned about. the symptoms of which were curved lightening bolts and more floaters - the opthalmologist checked for  detached retina(serious) and a follow-up six weeks later.   Anyway, after reading your post, I was googling around for links between Aromasin and cataracts and apparently some women are reporting them, but I can't find them officially listed as a side effect. So, perhaps your cataracts are age-related or hormone therapy related as opposed to radiation related.  In addition to simply aging, the experience of being diagnosed and treated for BC is an assault from all directions and modalities. It is hard to figure what might be causing a problem!!

Hope you figure it out!

Julie E

I found my breast cancer when I did because I had cataracts.  I went in for my preop physical and my pcp was giving me grief about being late for my mamogram, told me I was supposed to have followed up 6 months after the last one (2 years earlier)  First I heard of it.  So I went in, we found the cancer, went ahead and did the eye surgery 2 weeks before we did my lx... On the bright side, I have better vision than I ever had in my life after the cataract surgery.

But it has worsened in the last year since the cancer (both rads and tami) and I'm waiting to hear for the opthalmologist to find out if there is cause for concern...