OCULAR TOXICITY AND CANCER-CHEMOTHERAPY - A REVIEW

BACKGROUND. Systemic anticancer therapies can produce acute and chroni c organ damage, but the eye is usually considered a protected site. No netheless, the oculo-visual system has a potentially high degree of se nsitivity to toxic substances. Ocular toxicity induced by cancer chemo therapy includes a broad spectrum of disorders, reflecting the unique anatomic, physiologic, and biochemical features of this essential orga n. METHODS. A review of the literature regarding the ocular toxicity o f chemotherapeutic agents, hormonal agents, biologic agents, and high dose chemotherapy with allogeneic and autologous bone marrow transplan tation was conducted. RESULTS. Ocular toxicity induced by anticancer c hemotherapy is not uncommon. The development of more aggressive regime ns as well as new agents and combination chemotherapies have resulted in a significant increase of reported cases of chemotherapy-induced oc ular side effects. In most instances, the mechanisms of ocular toxicit y continue to be poorly understood. CONCLUSIONS. Ocular toxicities ind uced by chemotherapeutic agents are generally not preventable; therefo re, clinicians must be aware of potential vision-threatening complicat ions. Prompt consultation with an ophthalmologist can lead to early de tection, proper diagnosis, and appropriate therapeutic measures. Dose reduction or discontinuation of incriminated drugs may help in reducin g the severity and the duration of side effects. (C) 1996 American Can cer Society.