Dry Eye during Breast Cancer Treatment

Dry Eye Problems during Breast Cancer Treatment

Did you know that certain types of breast cancer treatment medications can cause dry eye symptoms? The class of medications called “aromatase inhibitors” (AIs) has been studied and found to cause dry eyes. Fortunately, we also know that this is a newly emerging, and easily treated side effect of AIs. But we need to know that you are taking one of the AIs in order to offer help for your dry eyes. Some of the medications in this class include Arimidex, Aromasin and Femara-although there are many others. Researchers used a validated questionnaire to assess the presence of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). They found that DES is significantly more prevalent in women on AIs compared with controls. They recommend routine screening of patients on AIs with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire with the aim of improving patient quality of life and possibly adherence.

If you or someone you know is being treated for breast cancer with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and suffers from dry eyes, grittiness or is generally experiencing eye problems of fatigue or dryness please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, Google+ or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.