Letrozole/ Femara and eyesight

kmakm

Eye problems are on the official side effect list, though very vague!

Romla

Gee increasing liver enzymes is part of cirrhosis not good if anyone likes a drink.Did not know the eye side effects but I do have blurred vision. Will investigate further and take up with my eye specialist tomorrow.

Annie C

@Romla
@iserbrown

I refused aromatase inhibitors because of the side effects on eye health. I too had read the peer reviewed paper from the American Opthalmology Association. I was most concerned regarding increased ocular pressures, retinal bleeds and retinal detachments.

I have had glaucoma for over 10 years and have worked hard through the use of drops to lower the pressures. Pre BC I have also had a retinal bleed and retinal detachment leading to loss of total sight in my right eye. 

The oncologist / breast surgeon was most annoyed with my refusal. However my opthalmologist was very pleased. 

I believe that eye health and sight is an under researched area in relation to aromatase inhibitors. 

I value my eyesight. Having only sight in my left eye I dread losing that remaining sight. I will take my chances with a recurrence. That is my choice. I would never advise anyone to not take aromatase inhibitors. There are reasons for my decision. That's me.

It may be easier living closer to eye specialists however my closest opthalmologist is 2,300 kms from home. It is near impossible to hop on a plane and fly to Perth when problems arise. Opthalmogists visit our town every six months, miss a visit and it is 12 months.

Afraser

Keeping a tab on your eye health is key. If you already have eye issues, then logically you have to weigh that up in the balance about taking medication that may have a negative effect. As per earlier post, I developed cataracts but they are common at my age and my mother had them at pretty much the same age. So it might be Femara, but may not. Otherwise my sight and eye health are fine. But taking any medication for any length of time, with most having a litany of possible side effects, adds to time, effort and possibly money in keeping checks up to date. 

Romla

I do live closer to my eye specialist but very worried atm about my vision nonetheless as been an ongoing battle and still not over.Next step is a shunt if the needle blebs don’t save the tabeculectomy. 

Thank goodness one eye is good but may make the same call if the bad eye is not stabilised.Will need consult both my onc and eye specialist.Wonder if this applies to all AIs or just Letrozole? I was told by my eye specialist that Tamoxifen does have eye consequences so a shift to that hormone therapy is not on.

iserbrown

@Annie C 
@Romla

Well what a so and so that we find ourselves in this predicament!  Don't want to scare the bejesus out of anyone but please if you feel your eye is dry, itchy, blurry or whatever get it checked!  

@kmakm
I see you have kindly put up a list of side effects, here's a couple of links that gives both the common and rare side effects of Femara (Letrozole)

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4363/femara-oral/details/list-sideeffects

https://www.nps.org.au/medical-info/medicine-finder/letrozole-sandoz-tablets

It's a lucky dip when it comes to side effects, can't win lotto but can win one or more of these - the bone pain is driving me balmy, the shin pain during the night, the hands feeling arthritic and now the eye - luck of the draw!!

kmakm

I feel ya @iserbrown. Today my thumbs are so sore, one of the worst they've ever been. I can't use them properly, forget, and then I drop whatever I've tried to pick up. There have been rude words spoken...

iserbrown

Yes and soup travels when you drop it!  Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

kmakm

Noooooo!

iserbrown

Yep that's what crook hands can do to you!  Luckily it was not hot soup, it was cold as it was heading for the freezer - hubby to the rescue as boy what a mess!

Yep, this BC just keeps on giving and giving and testing the tolerance but having said that I am better off than my sister who is in hospital at present having morphine, first treatment of internal radiation for cervical cancer!  Ouch!

kitkatb

Have only been on femara for 2 weeks. Not even sure why as I am as only 1 % hormone positive but the team seem to think it is still worth it even though my onc told me I am basically TNBC because of such a low percentage.  Interesting about the eyes and pressure will definitely keep an eye open ( excuse the pun ) as I have already had laser work done to both eyes due to pressure build up.  My feet feel like I am walking on pebbles on these tablets at the moment. We spend our time chasing our tail with this bloody BC with all the side affects.