title: Exemestane-induced corneal epithelial changes.
abstract: We report a case of corneal epithelial changes that occurred as ocular side effects of treatment with exemestane, a selective steroidal aromatase inhibitor. A 55-year-old woman presented to our outpatient department for routine eye examination. Clinical examination revealed bilateral corneal gray-white bands appearing as intraepithelial microcysts. Her past medical history included breast cancer, for which she underwent chemotherapy and subsequent treatment with exemestane. She was followed up for 1 year, during which the clinical picture of the cornea remained unchanged in both eyes and visual acuity remained unaffected. A causal connection seems to be possible between systemic treatment with exemestane and persisting corneal intraepithelial cysts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece. mpapathanassiou@gmail.com
authors.forename: Miltiadis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papathanassiou
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nikita
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Theodossiadis
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Theodossiadis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vergados
mesh_terms: D000730:Androstadienes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003560:Cysts / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; C056516:exemestane