Electrophysiological examination of breast cancer patients with tamoxifen retinopathy

Purpose. Cristalline plaques in the cornea or the retinal nerve fiber layer are well-known side effects of tamoxifen therapy. We investigated whether electrophysiological methods for determining the function of the retinal ne rve fiber layer and retinal pigment epithelium demonstrate changes in tamox ifen retinopathy. Patients and methods. We compared the right eyes of four women with breast cancer and mono- or bilateral tamoxifen retinopathy to ten right eyes of ag e-matched, eyehealthy patients who had not received tamoxifen by means of e lectrophysiological investigations (e.g., pattern-reversal electroretinogra phy, flash electroretinography for the maximal combined response,electroocu lography; ISCEV standard conditions). Results. No significant differences were observed between patients with tam oxifen retinopathy and controls regarding mean visual acuity, basal level o f the electro-oculographic standing potential, basal level on the Arden ind ex,or any of the other electrophysiological potentials. Conclusions. Pattern-reversal electroretinographic measurements revealed no damage of retinal ganglion cells in the presence of crystalline plaques in the retinal nerve fiber layer. Electro-oculography did reveal differences, but these were not statistically significant, possibly due to the small nu mber of cases.