Eye Irritation

Doctors use many different types of cancer drug which can affect your eyes and your eyesight. Changes can include cataracts, eye infections and eyesight changes.

Usually the effects are temporary and will go away when you stop taking the drug. But some effects may be long term. Eye changes are most likely to happen with chemotherapy drugs or biological therapy drugs.

Visit www.cancerresearchuk.org to see whether your drug might cause problems.

Drugs affect people in different ways and it is not possible to tell in advance who will have particular side effects. It depends on:

The drug or combination of drugs you are having.

The dose.

How you react to the drug.

How you have reacted to drug treatment in the past.

Tell your doctor or nurse about any eye problems or eyesight changes. Do not use any eye medicines or eye drops without discussing it with your doctor or nurse first.

Eyesight changes

Some cancer drugs can cause eyesight changes. This can be due to:

Clouding of the lens of the eye (cataract).

Raised pressure in the eye.

Damage to the optic nerve.

Eyesight changes you might have include:

Blurred vision.

Dulled vision where colours are not as bright as usual.

Seeing halos or rainbow like rings around lights.

Misty vision.

Vision less clear than usual.

Loss of areas of vision.

Flashing lights.

Headaches.

It is important to contact your doctor or specialist nurse as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. They can arrange for you to see an optician. Some of the changes might go back to normal when the treatment ends but some may be permanent.

When to contact your doctor straight away

You need to contact your doctor or specialist nurse straight away if you have any of the following:

Sudden severe eye pain.

A sudden loss of eyesight.

You suddenly see halos around lights.

Your eyes suddenly become sensitive to light.

An eye infection gets worse or does not improve within 3 days of treatment.

Eye infections

Some chemotherapy or biological therapy drugs can lower your resistance to infection. You could be more likely to get an eye infection called conjunctivitis.

Symptoms of eye infections include:

Sore, red and inflamed eye.

Swollen eyelids.

Scratchy, watery or itchy eye.

Pus or discharge from the eye.

Eyes can become sensitive to light.

Infection can be caused by viruses or bacteria and is easy to get from dirty hands, flannels, cosmetics or towels. Most types of viral infection go away on their own, with or without treatment. It can take 5 to 7 days for symptoms to go completely. If you have a bacterial infection you might need antibiotic eye drops or ointment.

Tips for dealing with eye infections

Wash your hands often so you do not spread the infection.

Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes – if you have to touch your eyes, wash your hands before and afterwards.

Throw away any eye make-up you have used since having symptoms of the infection.

Don’t wear contact lenses.

Don’t share towels, flannels or sheets with anyone else – if only one eye is infected use a separate towel or flannel for each eye.

Gently wash your eyelids with a warm, clean, moist cotton wool pad to remove any discharge.

If the infection is viral, your doctor or nurse may prescribe antihistamine pills or eye drops to relieve symptoms.

If the infection is bacterial, your doctor or nurse will prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointments.

Never share your medicines with anyone else and take medicines as directed.

Don’t go swimming in public pools – chlorinated water can make sore eyes worse.

Sore, dry eyes

Some cancer drugs can make your eyes very dry and sore. They might feel gritty, as though there is something in your eye.

This is because the drugs may cause a reaction on the inside of your eyelids. Or you may not be making enough tears. This is called kerato conjunctivitis sicca.

You might have watery eyes but your eyes still feel dry and sore. This is due to the lack of an important chemical that moistens and lubricates the eyes.

Your doctor or nurse can prescribe artificial tears or ointments to reduce dryness. Avoid swimming in chlorinated water without goggles.

Watery eyes

Some chemotherapy drugs i.e. Pemetrexed can cause watery eyes. Which is called excessive tearing or epiphora. It can be due to a blockage in the drainage system of the eye, caused by swelling of the nearby tissues or your eyes may be making too many tears.

Tips for dealing with watery eyes

Your doctor or nurse might prescribe medicines to reduce swelling if the eye drainage system is blocked due to a swelling.

Use warm compresses to help your eye to drain if your eye infection is causing swelling.

If dust or irritants, such as pollen or animal hairs, make the watering worse, wear protective goggles and try to avoid the irritant.

If you have dry eyes your doctor or nurse can prescribe ointments, eye drops or artificial tears.

Swollen eyelids

Some chemotherapy or biological therapy drugs can make your eyelids inflamed and sore.

Your eyelids might also produce a crusty substance which is blepharitis. You can have eye drops or ointment to soothe the inflammation. Use a warm, damp compress to help remove the crusting and relieve soreness.

Eyelashes growing inward

Some chemotherapy or biological therapy drugs can make your eyelashes grow in different directions to normal the eyelashes may fall out.

This can happen during or after treatment. Tell your doctor or nurse know if this happens. The eyelashes usually grow back but may fall out more than once.