Vision: Has anyone had their vision deteriorate?

BetsyJane
BetsyJane Member Posts: 127
in Breast Cancer #1
Shortly after receiving chemo (which ended in this May) I noticed the vision in my "right" eye has deteriorated to the point where everything is pretty much a blurr. I used to have good vision in both eyes. My left eye wasn't effected. I intend to go to an eye doctor in January (after my radiation treatments end). I am wondering if I have a cataract as I know this can be a side effect of chemo. I'm hoping it's a cataract and it can be corrected.

Has anyone had their vision affected by chemo? What was your outcome?

Thank you to all who respond.

God Bless,

Betsy

Comments

  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #2
    My vision deteriorated
    My vision deteriorated during chemo , both eyes were blurry, and I needed new glasses. it imoroved afterwards. I would see the doc now in case there is something you need to do immediately.
  • Tkitty
    Tkitty Member Posts: 56
    #3
    eyesight
    I had my eyes checked mid chemo. My eye dr didn't recommend new lenses until my treatment was over. I will be going back for a check, but I do notice that my eyesight has changed where as before I was stable in my correction. My eye sight is always blurry, without glasses, but if yours is newly blurry, I would call my eye doctor just to be sure.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #4
    I've had changes in both
    I've had changes in both eyes since chemo and rads. I got a new pair of glasses while on Taxol (had already finished A/C) as I get a new pair every 2 years rather there have been changes or not. Then last Nov (2010) I had some horrendous pain around and behind right eye so. When I saw. Eye Dr there had been a bit of change enough he felt I should have new glasses so he sent me a new pair.

    This Nov when I went in I was expecting a new pair again as there had definately been changes. Didn't get new glasses but an appt with the eye surgeon - I now have cataracts. He said it is uncommon from rads - didn't say anything about chemo. Some of the symptoms of cataracts include blurring, 'halos' around lights at night, colors dimming/less vivid and an over all dimming. I'll be see the surgeon for the first time on Dec 14 to find out when surgery will begin.

    You might want to get an appt sooner than Jan as you've noticed so much change. There could be other reasons and your vision is not something to "mess" around with. Good Luck.

    Susan
  • ldpettit
    ldpettit Member Posts: 128
    #5
    Eyes
    I've noticed changes in my vision as well. Mind you I haven't taken the time to go to an eye doctor to get them check, need to add it to my list of todo's... Anyway, YES - mine have certainly changed and NOT for the better.
  • jazz53
    jazz53 Member Posts: 5
    #6
    Vision changes
    I experienced the same thing in both eyes. I thought maybe it had to do with my diabetes or maybe my blood pressure. I had blood tests done a couple weeks ago and it showed my body was depleted of B-12 and I was having all kinds of side affects that were scaring me. I am on a program to have one a month. Hope this gives you something else to think about for a reason. I had my eyes checked in Oct. and there was a 2 point difference in the right eye and 1.5 in the left eye. I had never had such a significant change before. Take care.
    Jazz
  • jazz53
    jazz53 Member Posts: 5
    #7
    Vision changes
    I experienced the same thing in both eyes. I thought maybe it had to do with my diabetes or maybe my blood pressure. I had blood tests done a couple weeks ago and it showed my body was depleted of B-12 and I was having all kinds of side affects that were scaring me. I am on a program to have one a month. Hope this gives you something else to think about for a reason. I had my eyes checked in Oct. and there was a 2 point difference in the right eye and 1.5 in the left eye. I had never had such a significant change before. Take care.
    Jazz
  • jazz53
    jazz53 Member Posts: 5
    #8
    Vision changes
    I experienced the same thing in both eyes. I thought maybe it had to do with my diabetes or maybe my blood pressure. I had blood tests done a couple weeks ago and it showed my body was depleted of B-12 and I was having all kinds of side affects that were scaring me. I am on a program to have one injection a month. Hope this gives you something else to think about for a reason. I had my eyes checked in Oct. and there was a 2 point difference in the right eye and 1.5 in the left eye. I had never had such a significant change before. Take care.
    Jazz
  • jazz53
    jazz53 Member Posts: 5
    #9
    jazz53 said:

    Vision changes
    I experienced the same thing in both eyes. I thought maybe it had to do with my diabetes or maybe my blood pressure. I had blood tests done a couple weeks ago and it showed my body was depleted of B-12 and I was having all kinds of side affects that were scaring me. I am on a program to have one a month. Hope this gives you something else to think about for a reason. I had my eyes checked in Oct. and there was a 2 point difference in the right eye and 1.5 in the left eye. I had never had such a significant change before. Take care.
    Jazz

    sorry
    I have no idea why this posted 3 times. I guess I am the weakest link.
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #10
    Yup
    Lately I've been feeling pains and uncomfortable feelings in my right eyes. i will schedule an appt. for my Dr. this week to talk about this and have them checked. I am on tamoxifen (and took chemo) so I am wondering if it's related to any or both. I can keep you posted about what my Dr. says for your reference.

    Good luck!
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #11
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    Yup
    Lately I've been feeling pains and uncomfortable feelings in my right eyes. i will schedule an appt. for my Dr. this week to talk about this and have them checked. I am on tamoxifen (and took chemo) so I am wondering if it's related to any or both. I can keep you posted about what my Dr. says for your reference.

    Good luck!

    I didn't need chemo
    I didn't need chemo but almost a year after taking tamox I started seeing lights flashing and also a small black spot(called a floater) I went to emevergency.It was very sudden and scary.I was checked there and told to see my eye doctor.After the exam my dcotor told me I had a floater and a cataract.I was upset but he said for now it is the beginning of the cateract and it can be left alone.My friend who had chemo said she had the same problem.Mine though was caused by tamoxfin but like the eye doctor said you need tamox.Body is more important.

    Lynn Smith
  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #12
    Yup!
    Got new glasses right before chemo, and shortly after starting chemo noticeable vision changes! But I figure the poison has affected everything else why would my eyes be any different.
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #13
    Betsy,
    My eyes were worse
    Betsy,
    My eyes were worse during treatment. I have always had glasses but I did notice they were getting worse about halfway through chemo. I got new glasses after rads and my eyes were back to normal.
    You should make sure it is something that doesn't require immediate attention but keep in mind it may just be a result of the assault on your body (chemo) and could resolve completely once your body starts to recover.

    Cindy
  • BetsyJane
    BetsyJane Member Posts: 127
    #14
    Thanks Pink Ladies
    I will definitely make a doctor appt. next week. I'm pretty sure, after reading all your comments that my blurry vision is due to chemo. It's kinda strange for me to say, but I really hope it's a cataract in my right eye, as I know if it is a cataract, my sight can be fixed.

    Thanks again pink ladies for always being there to answer my questions.

    God Bless.

    Betsy
  • Melaniedoingwell
    Melaniedoingwell Member Posts: 80
    #15
    jazz53 said:

    sorry
    I have no idea why this posted 3 times. I guess I am the weakest link.

    "sorry"
    very funny - weakest link....
  • Melaniedoingwell
    Melaniedoingwell Member Posts: 80
    #16
    vision changes
    Yes, I also had vision changes and I went from contacts to glasses since there were days when I didn't feel like I had the energy to even put my contacts in!!!
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #17
    Betsy, my vision in my right
    Betsy, my vision in my right eye (which has always been worse than my left, and with astigmatism) has gotten considerably worse, and is mostly blurry. I'm about 14 months post chemo now.
    *hugs*
    Heather

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