"Chemo vision" I can't see $%@#!

k1
k1 Member Posts: 220 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Since I have been undergoing chemo it seems like my vision declines weekly. It is now to the point that even glasses do not help much because my vision is so blurry. I am making many mistakes trying to read numbers and read and write -- all the time.

Someone told me not to bother going for an eye exam or new eyeglasses because this condition was going to dog me until at least three months after chemo ends and it would be a waste to try and correct "chemo vision" right now.

Anyone else seeing their vision slip away on chemo or did in the past? Any advice on how to cope with this? And did your vision improve or go back to pre-chemo levels after you finished chemo?

I am on Xelox regimen if that makes any difference.

K1

Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #2
    Yes
    Yes mine did and never did get better. You probably should tell your doctor about it too. Your doctor really never tells you about all the side effects that comes along with the chemo, but I've noticed that when being on chemo my vision and gums changed. I'm going to go in for new glasses soon. Good luck.

    Kim
  • relaxoutdoors08
    relaxoutdoors08 Member Posts: 521 Member
    #3
    Vision and Hearing
    I had Folfox but Vision and Hearing problems and Dental. I waited six months post Folfox to get new glasses, and do my dental work. I think three months would have been Ok but I wanted an all clear before I bought new glasses. I still have hearing problems so that is next on the list.
    NB
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #4
    relaxoutdoors08 said:

    Vision and Hearing
    I had Folfox but Vision and Hearing problems and Dental. I waited six months post Folfox to get new glasses, and do my dental work. I think three months would have been Ok but I wanted an all clear before I bought new glasses. I still have hearing problems so that is next on the list.
    NB

    Never been in xelox but in folfir and avastin and had very
    blurry vision specially by night!
  • th_in_canada
    th_in_canada Member Posts: 46
    #5
    relaxoutdoors08 said:

    Vision and Hearing
    I had Folfox but Vision and Hearing problems and Dental. I waited six months post Folfox to get new glasses, and do my dental work. I think three months would have been Ok but I wanted an all clear before I bought new glasses. I still have hearing problems so that is next on the list.
    NB

    Vision Issues
    I am new to this forum but I am learning so much. I had vision issues with all 3 lines of chemo and my onc seemed surprised everytime. No one else seemed to have these.
    I have been off treatment now for 2 months so, after reading this topic, I think I'll wait for another month before getting new glasses.
    On a side note, I was offered a Phase 1 drug trial where vision issues were the main side effect. I turned it down, thought it was just too scary.

    Tricia
  • k1
    k1 Member Posts: 220 Member
    #6
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Yes
    Yes mine did and never did get better. You probably should tell your doctor about it too. Your doctor really never tells you about all the side effects that comes along with the chemo, but I've noticed that when being on chemo my vision and gums changed. I'm going to go in for new glasses soon. Good luck.

    Kim

    Sorry to hear your vision
    Sorry to hear your vision did not improve after chemo was over And I sure don't remember this being listed as a side effect on the chemo materials I got either.
  • k1
    k1 Member Posts: 220 Member
    #7
    th_in_canada said:

    Vision Issues
    I am new to this forum but I am learning so much. I had vision issues with all 3 lines of chemo and my onc seemed surprised everytime. No one else seemed to have these.
    I have been off treatment now for 2 months so, after reading this topic, I think I'll wait for another month before getting new glasses.
    On a side note, I was offered a Phase 1 drug trial where vision issues were the main side effect. I turned it down, thought it was just too scary.

    Tricia

    Please report back after your new glasses
    and let us know if you have decent vision after three months off chemo with your new glasses.

    Thanks all...I really thought it was my imagination for the first few weeks but after the last two treatments I realize I can't even see my computer screen or phone anymore without turning on the accessibility options for low vision. This is scary.

    K1
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #8
    k1 said:

    Sorry to hear your vision
    Sorry to hear your vision did not improve after chemo was over And I sure don't remember this being listed as a side effect on the chemo materials I got either.

    Thanks
    Yup vision never got better but it did improve but never got better to what it was. Everyone is different though it doesn't affect everyone.

    Kim
  • christinecarl
    christinecarl Member Posts: 544 Member
    #9
    I had this, it went away for
    I had this, it went away for me. I mean my vision has always been bad, I have had glasses since I was 9 years old and will need bifocals soon, but the chemo eye thing was temporary. I also had my eyes freeze shut, but that was a chemo/winter in MN thing LOL
  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #10
    Chemo & vision problems
    Hi K1,

    My vision problems subsided after about 3-4 months off of chemo although my sight is weaker than previous. (That might be from old age?)The following reference might help.

    http://www.ehow.com/facts_5887829_side-effects-xeloda-eyes.html

    I failed at making a clickable link so copy/paste.
    Take care,
    Pat
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #11
    Jaylo969 said:

    Chemo & vision problems
    Hi K1,

    My vision problems subsided after about 3-4 months off of chemo although my sight is weaker than previous. (That might be from old age?)The following reference might help.

    http://www.ehow.com/facts_5887829_side-effects-xeloda-eyes.html

    I failed at making a clickable link so copy/paste.
    Take care,
    Pat

    bad vision
    I too had really bad vision...blurry and strain

    I felt it the most on oxy and xeloda but also on 5fu

    I did go for eye exams but didn't order new glasses....

    like others it's hard to tell when old age is clicking in but for sure I was bad on oxy and it got better....

    I am a couple of years out from oxy and prolly should revisit the new glasses idea

    could not read during oxy....just a blur


    mags
  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    #12
    I had cataracks (sp) on both eyes
    After taking chemo my eyesight keep getting worse and worse. One day I was driving and I almost pulled out in front of a truck and my wife said that was it...no more driving. My onc recommended an eye dr and the exam showed really bad cataracts...the chemo was part of the cause. I am a 58 and I am still a little young for cataracts. I was really getting depressed and frustrated because of the bad eyesight. I decided to have both eyes done in March. I can see so good now and it really changed my attitude so ask to see an eye dr and ask about cataracts. If that is what it is have it done...easy procedure. Praying for the best for you.
    Jeff
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #13
    steveandnat said:

    I had cataracks (sp) on both eyes
    After taking chemo my eyesight keep getting worse and worse. One day I was driving and I almost pulled out in front of a truck and my wife said that was it...no more driving. My onc recommended an eye dr and the exam showed really bad cataracts...the chemo was part of the cause. I am a 58 and I am still a little young for cataracts. I was really getting depressed and frustrated because of the bad eyesight. I decided to have both eyes done in March. I can see so good now and it really changed my attitude so ask to see an eye dr and ask about cataracts. If that is what it is have it done...easy procedure. Praying for the best for you.
    Jeff

    Doctor
    I'm thinking that the onc. just doesn't mention this as a side effect heck mine said that the numbness that I'd be feeling from the oxy was minor - WHAT it wasn't minor and now agrees that it is a problem. Eye problems are a great example of what chemo kills in our system. Glad you are doing better.

    Kim

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