Glaucoma and Tamoxifen

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Cmoonie
Cmoonie Member Posts: 2
edited October 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

anyone have glaucoma (open angle) and taking tamoxifen?  Just started on this med and concerned about side effects for my eyes.

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  • Jelson
    Jelson Member Posts: 1,535
    edited October 2014

    I was under the impression that tamoxifen could cause damage to my eyes, so I began going to an opthalmologist (sp) when I began taking it. I ended up with no tamoxifen-related problems - nothing but normal age-related issues. I googled tamoxifen glaucoma and found a website: worst pills, which lists  medications and their relation to open angle glaucoma among other eye conditions/ parts. I then cut and pasted the relevant section. Tamoxifen is listed as causing retina issues.  There is also a search function on the discussion boards and you could search tamoxifen glaucoma to see if this concern has been raised by a bco member in the past

    I  strongly suggest you discuss tamoxifen and any other medications recommended for your BC treatment with your opthalmologist. And I assume you have a regular one if you have glaucoma. Good luck to you!

    http://www.worstpills.org/public/page.cfm?op_id=84





    Open-angle glaucoma
    betamethasone
    ALPHATREX, DIPROLENE, DIPROSONE

    desoximetasone
    TOPICORT

    dexamethasone
    DECADRON, HEXADROL, MYMETHASONE

    docetaxel
    TAXOTERE

    fluocinolone
    SYNALAR

    fluocinonide
    LIDEX-E, LIDEX

    hydrocortisone (oral)
    CORTEF, HYDROCORTONE

    hydrocortisone (topical)
    ALA-CORT, HI-COR, HYTONE, NEACLEAR LIQUID OXYGEN SCAR, PENECORT, SYNACORT

    methylprednisolone
    MEDROL

    paclitaxel
    TAXOL

    prednisolone
    PRELONE

    prednisone
    DELTASONE

    triamcinolone (topical)
    ARISTOCORT, KENALOG, TRIACET, TRIDERM
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  • Monis
    Monis Member Posts: 472
    edited October 2014

    I do not have glaucoma, but I work in an ophthalmology clinic.  Tamoxifen has no bearing on glaucoma, so you can rest easy in that regard.  What Tamoxifen can do is cause retinal changes.  The drug can leave crystalline deposits in the retina, which over time can cause changes in vision, but this is a very rare side effect.  And, it is reversible, meaning once you go off the drug the deposits go away.  Tamoxifen can also cause cataracts to mature quicker.  The take home message is, have a dilated medical eye examination once a year, and remember vision side effects are rare.

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  • Cmoonie
    Cmoonie Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2014

    jelson, thanks for the link to the worst pills and eye side effects.  I have an appt. at the end of October with my glaucoma Dr. and will discuss my taking Tamoxifen.  

    Monis, thanks for your info.  Glad that the side effect of cyrstalline deposits in the retina is a rare side effect.  I had surgery for a microstent in my left eye in 2012 since the rx drops didn't reduce the pressure in addition to laser surgery.  Don't feel I could handle any more vision loss due to hormonal treatment.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited October 2014

    Thanks for the link, Monis. I have some visual field issues and cupping, so have become ultra-attuned to the effects of any new drugs added to my life, no matter how briefly. A good ophthalmologist is an unsung hero(ine) of the fight to stay healthy through the treatment process. 

    I'm not on tamoxifen but there's a chance I'll need taxotere down the road (crossing my fingers not) and that's an issue I'll have to keep in mind.

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited October 2014

    Just to note, ophthalmologists are MDs (4 years of medical school then additional residency requirements). They may be less accessible and more expensive to see for routine visits than optometrists who have advanced training and use the designation OD: not to be confused with Doctors of Osteopathy who are DOs! Then there's the optician who makes your glasses. 

    I recently changed my eye check-ups from a free standing business to the clinic associated with my cancer center in order to have all my records in one place and facilitate referral for specialized treatment if needed. My previous care provider did note the beginnings of cataract formation when I was on tamoxifen, providing another reason for me to switch to an aromatase inhibitor.

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  • Jelson
    Jelson Member Posts: 1,535
    edited October 2014

    VINRPH- Interesting point about insurance coverage. My insurance will cover the opthalmologist because she is an medical doctor, but not the optometrist!

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited October 2014

    I've used both an ophthalmologist and an optometrist over the years and currently have one of each. They each have their role to play. And yes, the optometrist is a whole lot more accessible!

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  • Monis
    Monis Member Posts: 472
    edited October 2014

    Insurance in the "eye" business is a confusing thing.  If you're going in for a routine vision exam to be checked for glasses, then you need to use your "vision" insurance, which some folks have and others don't.  Medical insurance doesn't cover routine eye care.  But, if you're going in for a medical reason, such as cataracts, dry eye, infection, or monitoring for use of a drug such as Tamoxifen, then you use your medical insurance.  Vision insurance doesn't cover anything medically related.  In our office, we are having to explain this to patients on a daily basis, and even then they don't really understand the difference.

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