Retinal changes associated with tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to estimate the incidence of retinal changes and determine the prevalence of ocular toxicity associated with tamoxifen treatment in a breast cancer population.


METHODS
The study was based on a population cross-sectional survey, including 290 patients taking tamoxifen from 6 months to 12 years; 274 patients were analysed. The main outcome measures were the incidence of retinal changes and visual impairment.


RESULTS
The incidence of retinal changes was 0.9% (3 of 274 patients). All 3 patients were asymptomatic. The length of tamoxifen treatment ranged from 39 months to 120 months in the affected patients, with cumulative tamoxifen doses ranging from 23.7 g to 73 g.


CONCLUSIONS
Retinopathy in patients receiving low doses of tamoxifen is rare and, in our study, did not result in changes in visual acuity. We found no retinopathy in patients receiving tamoxifen within the first 3 years of treatment or in patients receiving a total tamoxifen dosage of less than 23.7 g. Although retinopathy can occur in a tamoxifen-treated population, its low incidence and an associated good prognosis for vision does not merit special screening for this problem.
Tang
R
R
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
Shields
J
J
Schiffman
J
J
Li
H
H
Locher
D
D
Hampton
J
J
Prager
T
T
Pardo
G
G
D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen