Cataracts!

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Albertan
Albertan Member Posts: 38
edited June 2016 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I was disheartened to find out from my eye doctor that I have a cataract growing in my left eye that he assumes from it's shape, to be chemo-induced - yet another side effect of chemo!

It was somewhat comforting to find on this site that cataracts after chemo are common, so at least I'm not alone. I'm not at the stage of needing surgery and surgery freaks me out because of my family history. When my dad had cataract surgery, he was given the wrong eye drops and went blind. When my sister had her cataract surgery last year, she still finds that she cannot see now as well as she did before the surgery and she's had one, if not two, additional surgeries to "correct" the original surgery. You can see why I am less than eager to have the surgery done.

So my questions:

  • how fast did you find that the cataracts grow?
  • so far, he only sees a cataract in one eye. Is it inevitable that it will show up in both?
  • how/why are cataracts related to chemo?

Thanks

Susan

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Comments

  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 620
    edited November 2015

    I didn't get cataracts from chemo, but got vitreous detachment from AIs. The only thing I could find about this is this study

    Breast Cancer Medications and Vision: Effects of Treatments for Early-stage Disease

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  • Albertan
    Albertan Member Posts: 38
    edited November 2015

    Thanks. Interesting. Depressing, but interesting. So much we don't know, eh?

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  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 620
    edited November 2015

    And so much they don't tell us from the start....

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    Susan, I wonder how much is because of the chemo and how much because of family history although I guess it's a moot point as they are there. It does appear yours may be chemo related since it shows in only one eye.

    Seachain, thanks for the link. I had not correlated cataracts with BC. I was recently dx'd with baby cataracts but have a family history so just figured it is that. Your link indicates AI heavy involvement and so I will be discussing with my MO as I have follow-up with her on Monday.

    (adding) Yes, interesting and depressing. But glad to find out now so I can monitor. Again, thanks, both of you for asking the question and providing the link. BCo is a great site/resource.

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  • SusanHG123
    SusanHG123 Member Posts: 414
    edited November 2015

    Went to my eye doc Monday because my vision was really changing. Major cataracts both eyes. So I did a quick google search--and of course-probably chemo related. Bad words.


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    My MO said vision problems resulting from an AI can happen but is rare. Since I have family history (grandmother and both my sisters) can't blame it on anastrozole which I will be staying on for another 3.5 years.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited November 2015

    I've had them since waaaay before chemo. Just had eye check last month, all good. Not ready to go yet.

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  • SusanHG123
    SusanHG123 Member Posts: 414
    edited March 2016

    Finally saw the eye surgeon yesterday. He said one word when he looked in each eye. "Wow". Surgeries scheduled the end of May and mid-June. Know I should not complain as I am on the right side of dirt--but this toxic waste....


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  • SusanHG123
    SusanHG123 Member Posts: 414
    edited June 2016

    Had the first removal yesterday. Easy surgery and recovery. And. I. Can. See. Amazing. The world is brighter. Will schedule the second soon. Chemo/steroid induced toxic waste induced......

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited June 2016

    My cataracts are "maturing". They weren't there prior to starting Tamoxifen. I didn't do chemo. I think i would have eventually developed cataracts anyway. Just not in my 50s. Both parents had cataract surgery in their early 70s. Also have an issue with my optic nerves..........and vitreous detachment........I'm surprised I can see at all. Eye surgery is in my future, but for now I'll continue with my denial.

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  • SusanHG123
    SusanHG123 Member Posts: 414
    edited June 2016

    Cora, I understand denial. I am really really good at it. But, seriously, I am amazed at the difference. The world is brighter. I told someone it seems all windows have been washed. Bright, clear, crisp.

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  • KayaRose
    KayaRose Member Posts: 183
    edited June 2016

    Had an eye exam just prior to being diagnosed with BC and starting chemo. I was told I had the very beginnings of cataracts. Doc said they were nowhere near needing surgery and it would likely be years before surgery would be indicated. During chemo, my vision started to get blurry. MO said it would probably clear up once chemo was done. It never did so I went back to ophthalmologist. Not only did the cataracts progress but they were already at the point where they needed to be removed. Doctor said it was not unusual for chemo tx to exacerbate cataracts. Just completed the second eye and am happy with the results. After having the first eye done, I realized just how bad my eyesight had gotten. Also, through the cataract eye everything seemed yellow whereas with the surgically corrected eye, everything was brilliantly white. What a difference. The operations were simple, not painful and the recovery was easy. Just remember to use all the eye drops you are prescribed. Good luck to you!

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