Breast cancer, in addition to being the second cause of death from tumors in Mexican women, also poses significant challenges to the eye health of those undergoing treatment.
The Global Cancer Observatory reported that in 2022 there were 31,043 new cases of breast cancer in Mexico , underscoring the need for effective strategies for early detection and treatment.
Loss of vision, a risk
In October, Pink Month for Breast Cancer Awareness, Stephany Gleason, Associate Director of Medical Dimegar, specialists in ophthalmic solutions, said that the study titled , conducted by researchers from the Department of Ophthalmology at the Benin University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria, highlights that treatments such as tamoxifen and interferon can cause considerable ocular side effects, including marked visual loss even at therapeutic doses.
According to the analysis of breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen and toremifene, the annual rates of cataracts were 6.8% and 6.2%, respectively. Common side effects include damage to the optic nerve and ocular motor nerves. Therefore, ophthalmologists need to examine these patients at the start of treatment and every three months to detect and minimize vision damage.
Breast Cancer Awareness has warned that the possible impacts of the treatment on eyes and vision are:
- redness, dryness, itching, double or blurred vision, watery eyes, and dark spots in your field of vision.
- Additionally, they can cause dry eyes, vision changes, drug-induced cataracts, and eye strain.
“During this difficult stage, it is essential that the oncologist and ophthalmologist be aware of possible ocular complications and develop intervention strategies that minimize or eliminate these side effects,” said Stephany Gleason.
Recommendations
- Moisturize your eyes with the use of artificial tears to relieve dryness
- Avoid prolonged use of screens
- Rest your eyes regularly, wear sunglasses to protect yourself from direct sunlight
- Reduce irritation
- Have regular checkups with an ophthalmologist to detect any changes in vision.
When caring for breast cancer, it is essential to take care of the patient’s comprehensive health.
Vision plays a crucial role in your quality of life, which is why it is important to closely monitor any changes when receiving chemotherapy to maintain your well-being during this challenging process.
Fortunately, there have been significant advances in both equipment and drugs to treat breast cancer and the visual problems resulting from its treatments.
Revolutionary tools
The development of new technology in ophthalmology is revolutionizing the diagnosis and management of eye diseases.
Tools such as Optical Coherence Tomography allow for detailed images of the retina, laser photocoagulation and artificial intelligence improve the accuracy of diagnoses and personalized therapies, said Stephany Gleason, associate director of Medical Dimegar, a company specialized in comprehensive solutions and training for ophthalmology specialists.
