Connect
Does Anastrozole have negative effects on the eyes?
Does Anastrozole have negative effects on the eyes?
An optometrist raised this issue. My oncologist was
shocked by the suggestion.
Please let me know the evidence one way or another.
J. Hendrixson
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.
Connect
Although I’m on tamoxifen, there is a good chance that my oncologist may want me to do some years on an AI to continue to lower recurrence risk. So I keep research on both therapies just in case.
The Canadian Journal of Ophthamology, 2024, outlined the possible effects of anastrolozole.
https://www.canadianjournalofophthalmology.ca/article/S0008-4182(23)00317-4/abstract
I’ve only found a report from the American Academy of Ophthalmologists on the effects of hormone therapy, 2013, but it states they need more studies.
https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/watch-ocular-effects-of-breast-cancer-drugs.,as%20well%20as%20dry%20eye
Any and every physician should start their review of possible adverse effects (AE) with the assumption that an aromatase inhibitor mimics menopauses loss of estrogen and change in hormone levels, in my humble opinion. Of course this is different for each of us depending on personal hormone status.
What I’ve experienced is that oncologists look at adverse effects (AE) for all treatments. In research there is a cutoff in how many people suffered an AE, or the level change/damage done. Unfortunately, many AEs that patients report fall out of the typical 2 standard deviations that is the cutoff for what is included as a true effect. My guess is that ocular effects for AIs fall into that category, for some oncologists.
Thank you. I appreciate the information.
Joyce Hendrixson
I also appreciate this. There was another thread on ocular effects but still watching that. I was on Anastrazole for about 10 months then changed to exemestane. Been about a year. He had me do a 3-4 week vacation and during that time, I developed bilateral vitreous detachment. See ophthalmologist next month but it may be permanent. Will now have something to back up the possibility of ai therapy causing this.
One effect I know of is that it causes drier eyes, which can lead to additional problems. Estrogen is what helps everything in our bodies stay lubricated and maintain elasticity, so the lack of it, causes everything to dry up and become more rigid. Our eyes are made up of of 98% water and require a lot of lubrication to stay healthy.