Hello everyone.
I’ve had a few odd experiences recently with my vision, whilst working I noticed my screen looked as though it was vibrating. It’s happened a few tines, I just assumed it was on its way out to be honest, then I noticed it happening with my phone. I mentioned it to the optician who has increased my prescription slightly…she said its most likely to do with that, which is fine. Hopefully the new lenses resolve it. It is slightly disconcerting though I have to say 
She did also spot a small hole in my retina. I’ve never come across this before, I’m only 38. She said it was likely to do with all the treatment, and has refered me to the eye hospital.
My question is, had anyone else experienced this? I’m wondereing if it’s a common occurrence for breast cancer patients? I’ve had chemo, a few months of tamoxifen, now letrazole, zoladex and abemaciclib. I cant fond mych about it online…just seems to be an age related thing.
Xxx
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Hello @wrenny
I haven’t had the type of visual disturbance that you describe but I did get a couple of migraines while I was having chemo and my overall vision has definitely deteriorated (more on close up stuff than distance) so I’m having an eye test later in the month as I’m pretty sure I need a new prescription.
Wishing you all the best xx
Hi @wrenny
Just to say that if you haven’t done so already then report this to your BCN and Oncology team. Your team may be able to get your eye appointment expedited for one thing , for another Tamoxifen carries a risk of ocular side effects and just having less oestrogen in your system may be causing changes to your retina.
I have had a retinal vein occlusion ( before having breast cancer ) which has caused a partial thickness hole in the retina of my bad eye and I refused Tamoxifen as I was worried about potential damage to my good eye. I have my eyes checked yearly and so far it’s stable. Hopefully the hospital will be able to help you or tell you that it’s nothing to worry about but if it doesn’t improve or your vision gets worse in the meantime I would go back to the Optician and get them to check it again to make sure it’s stable. You are right to find it disconcerting - problems with your vision are not be taken lightly .
It could be that it isn’t anything to do with Tamoxifen or other treatment - I was quite depressed as at 54 I was the youngest patient in the clinic by about 20 years but my Consultant said that 20% of her patients with retinal problems are under 60 and that what happened to me can happen to anyone so sometimes it’s just bad luck / genetics - who knows. xx
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Hi all,
Ive had deteriorating eye problems over the last year, i wear glasses as a norm. Im on abemaciclib, plus others for 14 plus months now, have the normal dry eye, watering eye condition thats mentioned on the leaflet/common side effects. But im experiencing extreme double vision, headaches, been to eye clinic at the hospital, been given Fresnal stick on prisms, so far hate the effect it has , nausea, headaches, etc. . Had MRI’s of orbits and head, still awaiting results since 28th March, still not been reported on yet, even though my oncologist ordered the tests. Seen him since, no report, so no further ahead on whats going on. Ive invasive lobular breast mets to the bones.
Anyone elses eyes deteriorated due to meds, is it a common thing, that just isnt listed on the meds pamphlet list of effects.
Wishing all you ladies a wonderful warm weekend
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It is listed for Tamoxifen otherwise I would not have known - I looked on NICE BNF but first saw it on the leaflet. I saw an American publication that suggested AI might also cause issues but my Ophthalmologist had not heard of this or seen anyone with a problem related to AI whereas he had seen people with a problem related to Tamoxifen. I’m not sure about Abemaciclib but the loss of oestrogen may have an effect .
So sorry that you’re having problems with your vision - I know how debilitating it is and how it can make doing simple things really difficult . Xx