The increased
use of chemotherapeutic agents has resulted in longer cancer patient
survival. Consequently the ophthalmologist is seeing more patients
with adverse ocular side effects secondary to these antineoplastic
agents. Ocular toxicity induced by cancer chemotherapy includes
a broad spectrum of disorders, reflecting the unique anatomical,
physiological and biochemical features of the eye. Understanding
the ocular side effects will assist the ophthalmologist and oncologist
to recognize them early and intervene before blindness occurs. Anticipation
of various treatment-related toxicities may also provide the opportunity
for pharmacists to develop intervention strategies that could minimize
or eliminate an expected side effect. The ophthalmologist should
examine patients on anticancer therapy at baseline and three monthly
thereafter. The various ocular side effects of anticancer chemotherapeutic
agents, tamoxifen, and interferon on the adnexia, anterior segment,
posterior segment and neuro-ophthalmic structures were reviewed.
