European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Chemotherapeutic agents have long been used to treat cancer either as a single drug or as a
combination. Cancer drugs have a great potential to induce acute, chronic, reversible and
irreversible damage in any organ system. Ocular toxicity produced by chemotherapeutic
agents is relatively uncommon as eye is usually considered as a protected site. Many of the
side effects in the eye are usually undetected either by the patient or by the clinician.
However, some of these side effects which are potentially reversible and treatable in the early
stages, turn out to be irreversible by the time the symptoms are detected. Hence, it is
important for the ophthalmologist to be aware of the potential ophthalmic complications to
treat them or sometimes even to prevent them.
Ophthalmic complications of these chemotherapeutic agents are sometimes underestimated
and neglected. Priority is usually given to the life-threatening effects of the drugs. Ocular
surface side effects have been extensively examined by many authors, though the possible
underlying mechanisms are poorly understood [1][2].
The quality of life takes a huge hit when the patient develops side effects like continuous
watering or dry eye some of which can be easily managed before potential irreversible side
effects develop[3][4]. An ophthalmic baseline examination for all patients planned for multiple
chemotherapeutic cycles and those undergoing these cycles becomes indispensable part of
patient care.
The aim of our study was to compare the baseline ocular status of the patients undergoing
combination chemotherapy before the start of chemotherapy and after a minimum of three
chemotherapeutic cycles.