Visual impairment in myopic patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant therapy with aromatase inhibitors.
Retinal structure and function is maintained in part by the trophic effects of aromatase, a cytochrome P450 convertase responsible for local tissue estrogen synthesis from androgen precursors. Herein, we report deterioration of visual acuity in 2 Chinese patients with breast cancer and preexisting myopia who had recently commenced adjuvant hormonal therapy using the aromatase inhibitor exemestane. Given the neuroprotective functions of estrogen and aromatase, we caution that this timing might not be coincidental. Prompt ophthalmoscopic evaluation is thus recommended for any patient who is prescribed treatment with an aromatase inhibitor and subsequently develops visual symptoms.
Epstein
Richard J
RJ
Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. repstein@hku.hk
D000277:Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D044466:Asian People; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000150:complications*; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000277:Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic; D000730:Androstadienes; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; C056516:exemestane