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melclarity's avatar
melclarity
Member
9 years ago

Anyone had eye problems since having Chemo??

Hey Ladies, I wanted to hear from anyone who has experienced any eye problems. Brenda I recall you did? I had my eyes tested last year after I noticed quite drastic deterioration in my vision, Id never had problems before, so about 6 months post Chemo it was and I then needed reading glasses. I'm not sure what is going on at the moment but In the span of 8 days Ive had 3 episodes of blind spots in both eyes, they can start out as a small spot but get bigger and then like jaggered lines radiating, with this I get random sharp pains in my head at different points. It lasts about 15-25 minutes. Its that bad I cannot see at all. I used to suffer migraines only now and then, not consistently. I am thinking of going to my Optometrist and asking the question..but thought id also ask here. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it just purely migraine? 
chemotherapy
side-effects

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  • au0rei's avatar
    au0rei
    Member
    9 years ago
    Since chemo 1, my eyesight has deterioriated. I have almost perfect eyesight but it's all blurry now. I hope it's just short term and I know it's not a big deal compared to many other big side effects listed out there. I believe deterioriated eyesight is listed as one of the side effects.

    Might be due to dryness? I use a eye mist from pharmacy to help. Don't buy something that is medicated, according to my nurse.
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    9 years ago
    Good!  My father in law ignored the signs and eventually he was diagnosed with macular degeneration and it was at the point that it was past being able to be helped.  He just kept ignoring it thinking I am stressed, over-worked, tired, Mum (his wife) needs my help as she was dealing with METS and he just ignored it; all those everyday things!  Eyesight is precious.  Take care
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    Alice I didnt think about that, and I am just over 4 weeks and gee the recovery seems long. I actually rang the Nurse this morning as Ive had alot of pain under my ribs and left to right up high across the new belly button. Hmmm she said its normal, as they STITCH you from under the breasts right down!!!! OMG!!! they dont tell you anything!! 

    @iserbrown I agree am not going to muck around with it. I have a funeral tomorrow which will be difficult to go to physically but will manage. I may have to wait til Monday when my daughter is here to take me to the Optometrist. Thanks ladies! xo
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    9 years ago
    Mel - you shouldn't sit back when it comes to eyesight!  An appointment sooner rather than later at the Optometrist will answer the question.  Something to think about also is your age - as for some eyesight can deteriorate once into the 40s.
  • SoldierCrab's avatar
    SoldierCrab
    Member
    9 years ago
    I had a rapid & drastic deterioration in eyesight during chemo it has not got better but has stabilized now  I am 4.5yrs since diagnosis.... both my long and short sight script changed by more than half of previous glasses.... 
    Remember you have also just had major surgery.... and your body will be adjusting to all the anesthetics meds etc....
    for every hour we are under it takes approx. a month of the body to rid us of the toxins of it.
    But get it checked out.
    hugs and energy to do deal with this
    Alice xoxo  
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hey Kath, yes I agree seems very much like migraine symptoms, what I dont get is 3 severe vision impairments in 8 days. Don't think they are clots at all as it completely resolves within 30mins. I did look it up and they said its an Ocular Migraine. So I will get to the Optometrist and have a chat. I am wondering too, lifes been really stressful the past few weeks and Im not sleeping, maybe 4hrs a night thats it. x
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    I had blurry vision for a bit after chemo which seems to have improved. What you are describing sounds more like a migraine type thig however you need to have floaters excluded (tiny clots which float across your field of vision) so off to the optometrist who will have a good look and if needed he will refer you to an optometrist .
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hmmm @"Ally Jay" Yes I noticed those things too when I finished, so booked in to have my eyes tested. Thing is they said that they didnt think it was due to the Chemo but just ageing and natural progression. I dont buy it, it was too dramatic and onset was quick. Im going to go back and discuss again, am concerned about it, and angry to be honest. 
  • AllyJay's avatar
    AllyJay
    Member
    9 years ago
    I've just finished 12 weeks of AC followed by 12 weeks of Paclitaxel and Herceptin. (More Herceptin to go yet). My eyesight has changed dramatically. Both short and long sight...what the hell...middle sight too...are blurry and out of focus. Not just blurry, but almost as if I've used milk as eye drops. I keep blinking to clear them, to no avail.