eye exam

It has been about a year, but when I went for my exam, they told me that tamoxifen can do some damage to the inside of the eye. I don't recall what exactly that she said. I told her that all I had heard was that it can cause cateracts. I have been on Tamoxifen for almost 3 years.

desertgirl947 said:

Good to know

This is good to know, as I am past due on my eye exams.  As it is, my optometrist was already watching a few things that were going on, but additional tests and a follow-up with an opthomologist showed no problems. 

I started tamoxifen the first part of August.

I've been on tamoxfin for just over 3 years.About a year after starting it I went to the eye doctor for checkup. He asid you have a cataract.I was very upset but he said it goes along with tamox but your body is more important.He said the cataract was very small and no need for any treatment/surgery.I was relieved.Last checkup he didn't mention it.Just said my eyesight hadn't changed.I am past due now but will get my check up.I Want to see where I stand. I wonder if the cataract is the same or larger.

I guess I didn't read my side effects of tamoxifin good enough because I didn't know cataracts could develope taking it.

Lynn Smith       

Cataracts are part of aging.  Though mine grew worse after using a bisphosphonate and then steroids for my uveitis while on Arimidex.  Cataaracts are an easy fix commpared to fixing stage IV.   You don't want to progress to any stage that leads to IV.  Tamoxifin might help keep you where you are now.

Stay on Tamoxifen and have the cataracts removed.  I remember asking my aunt if the surgery was painful (it isn't) she said, "to long ago dear to remember and everyone I know had them removed" (she lived in a retired community in Florida).  

Don't know if it helps but I do believe it's part of the ageing process.  I thought I was young but the doctor laughed and said it can happen anytime and to much younger people than I.  Now I can really see and don't need glasses for reading a book or the computer screen (no adjustment either to the screen).

Best in your decision,

lless than a year before being on Tamoxifen, chemo, xgeva, steroids, etc.  I bought a new tv for my bedroom and it was not clear.  Thought it was because it was 42inch, so I gave it to my son and bought a 32 inch.  Same issue.  Was having trouble reading, etc. Thought maybe it was from the glasses, went to eye dr.  She said I had cataracts in both eyes and needed them out. 

It really was an easy fix.  Didn't need any glasses for almost 6 months, but now I need reading glasses again...  but I see great with them to read, and can see far away without anything.  But they developed fast!  First thing she asked me was if I was on any new meds?  She said almost anyone of them could have caused it.  I am so happy that I got them fixed!  Love to read!!! 

helen e said:

Yes!

My eye doctor told my to have my eyes checked every 6 months while on Tamoxifen. She told me that they only needed to shine a light in my eyes and see if there is a ring around them. My primary care and oncologist never said anything. My eyes have been bothering me lately, thought I had pink eye last week but I didn't, hope there's nothing else wrong.

My DR says she watches for signs of detached retinas and other things caused by Tamoxifen.  I already had cataracts growing slowly.  She didn't say they would grow any faster because of the med though.  Linda