title: Toxic optic neuropathy in the setting of docetaxel chemotherapy: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To describe the first reported case of toxic optic neuropathy secondary to docetaxel (Taxotere®) chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 53-year-old female presented with predominantly unilateral visual loss, but extensive bilateral visual field defects and bilateral optic nerve head swelling 2 weeks after first dose of docetaxel (Taxotere®) and trastuzumab (Herceptin®) chemotherapy for a left sided node-positive, HER2 positive breast cancer. Extensive investigation ruled out other causes of optic neuropathy. She was treated with high dose corticosteroids intravenously for 1 week then a tapering oral dose over 8 weeks. Visual field defects gradually resolved and visual acuity improved. Docetaxel chemotherapy was discontinued but targeted therapy with trastuzumab continued without further complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Docetaxel can cause a toxic optic neuropathy possibly due to an ischemic or neurotoxic mechanism at the optic nerve head. With cessation of docetaxel therapy and treatment with systemic corticosteroids, visual recovery can occur without significant residual visual deficit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia. thomas.moloney@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Moloney
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Kristopher
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rallah-Baker
authors.forename: Niara
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Woodward
authors.forename: Jonathon J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Farrah
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010211:Papilledema / Q000139:chemically induced*; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014794:Visual Fields
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel