Blindness Caused By Some Cancer Drugs

Finding from a new study suggest that some commonly prescribed osteoporosis and cancer drugs may also cause serious vision loss, even blindness for a small number of patients if not caught early.

The research team led by Dr. Frederick Fraunfelder of the Oregon Health & Science University Casey Eye Institute reported its findings in today’s New England Journal of Medicine to alert physicians to monitor patients for eye problems not previously associated with the drug. “While these side effects are rare and do not occur in most patients, we consider this a major finding due to the fact that some types of eye inflammation such as scleritis, can cause vision loss or even blindness if gone untreated,” Fraunfelder said in a prepared statement. “The good news for patients is that when caught early, the inflammation can be treated. It’s also important to note that the inflammation will dissipate naturally by discontinuation of the medication.” The research details how two medications in a class of drugs called bisphosphonates can cause inflammation in several regions of the eye in some patients. Bisphosphonates are used to increase bone density. Loss of bone density is often caused by osteoporosis. Lung, breast or prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the bones can also cause a reduction in bone density. In cancer patients, bisphosphonates are generally prescribed in conjunction with chemotherapy or other anticancer treatments. Researchers reviewed thousands of cases where patients were prescribed bisphosphanates. They tracked 314 patients who were prescribed bisphosphonates and also reported eye problems. The vast majority of the thousands of patients reviewed did not suffer serious side effects. “Of those patients who suffered side effects, almost 100 reported blurred vision while taking the medication,” say Fraunfelder an assistant professor of ophthalmology in the OHSU School of Medicine. “Problems reported in other patients included pain and swelling.” (Source: cancerfacts.com)