[Tamoxifen retinopathy: a case series of clinical and functional data].
BACKGROUND
Tamoxifen is used in the treatment of selected patients with breast carcinoma. Rarely, it has been shown to cause ocular toxic effects including crystalline retinopathy.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of clinical and functional (visual acuity, visual field, colour vision) data of a case series of eight female patients under tamoxifen therapy with electrophysiological examination.


RESULTS
Seven of eight patients complained of visual disturbances. In one case, examination showed crystalline deposits in the cornea and macular area. Three patients revealed changes in full-field and multifocal electroretinogram, and two had a pathological multifocal electroretinogram only. In six cases we applied a desaturated panel D-15 colour vision test; five of these showed some disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Most tamoxifen patients who complained of visual disturbances showed electrophysiological changes, particularly in the multifocal electroretinogram and often without a certain morphological correlate. We recommend electrophysiological examination for patients with unclear visual deterioration who are receiving tamoxifen therapy.
Ritter
C
C
Augenklinik , Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200, Berlin, Deutschland. ritter-christian@t-online.de
Renner
A B
AB
Wachtlin
J
J
Bechrakis
N E
NE
Krause
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D003460:Crystallization; D018450:Disease Progression; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D014794:Visual Fields
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen