International Review of Ophthalmology

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The ocular adverse reactions of chemotherapy drugs

WU Ya-li, YU Min-bin   

  1. Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510060 Guangzhou, China
  • Received:2017-07-03 Online:2017-12-22 Published:2017-12-21
  • Contact: YU Min-bin, Email: yuminbin@mail.sysu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:

    Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou, China (2014Y2-00172)

Abstract:

With the continuous development of anti-cancer drug research, kinds of chemotherapy drugs significantly prolong the survival of patients, but also accompanied by a large number of adverse reactions. Eye adverse reactions, including decreased vision, dry eyes, conjunctivitis, keratitis. Common chemotherapy drugs that can cause ocular adverse reactions are alkylating agents, antimetabolites, mitotic inhibitors and molecular targeted therapies. Ocular adverse effects caused by chemotherapeutic drugs are often irreversible, so clinicians must be aware of potential visual impairment. Early diagnosis and intervention, dose reduction or discontinuation of incriminated drugs may help in reducing severity and duration of side effects, which will help to improve the life quality of patients. (Int Rev Ophthalmol,  2017,  41:   424-430)