I just had my annual eye exam yesterday. My eye doctor has all the latest diagnostic tools available, so he covers everything eye-related. During my exam and consultation – which took over two hours – my doctor was able to show me a comparison of my exam from last year to the one I just had. Of course, I need to get new lenses. There is no indication of glaucoma or cataracts.
The issue is thickening of the liner around my eyes, which my doctor believes is from possible steroid issues (dexamethasone), which he has seen before. He knows of my diagnosis and he has all my treatments on file. At this point, he is not too concerned, due to the percentages his tests indicated. He is going to send over his results to my oncologist. Still, I left his office wondering if someone else has had this happen to them while on dex.
I feel that a complete eye exam should be part of this myeloma journey for everyone. Sometimes, we look at just the obvious, such as labs and treatments for the disease itself. I never thought too much about possible side effects to my eyes.
Any replies would be greatly appreciated.
Castaway
Forums
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1
-
Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Possible eye issues due to dexamethasone
George,
Thanks for sharing this with us. I just came off of 6 months of dexamethasone use and likely will have to go back on again sometime in the future -- hopefully many months or years in the future.
I learned from this last experience with being on dexamethasone that, for long-term use, there can be a number of issues and complications that need to be monitored and watched for. I found that dexamethasone can throw the body’s endocrine system out of balance, causing abnormal changes in cortisol, testosterone levels, and other hormones. During the last two months of dexamethasone use, I was increasingly feeling the hormone imbalance effects.
Osteoporosis can be another complication of long-term steroid use, and I was started on a regular schedule of bone density scans. It is my understanding that there can also be eye related problems such as you are experiencing. Some oncologist may be really familiar with these complications, but I suspect there are many who are not as familiar.
In my experience, I was referred to an endocrinologist who was experienced with long-term dexamethasone use and I was also given the choice to see an eye doctor if I felt I was having vision problems.
With all these specialists helping with the long-term effects of dexamethasone, we had discussions about the risk versus benefit of the dexamethasone, understanding that any changes would need to be discussed and approved with my oncologist.
My lesson learned is that with long-term dexamethasone use, the medical team that is treating me may need to be expanded to help deal with a wide range of potential side effects of dexamethasone. Not that there is always something that can be done to mitigate the effects, but it is good to know just what is happening and detect early if any serious problems develop that may require stopping dexamethasone.
Thanks for sharing this with us. I just came off of 6 months of dexamethasone use and likely will have to go back on again sometime in the future -- hopefully many months or years in the future.
I learned from this last experience with being on dexamethasone that, for long-term use, there can be a number of issues and complications that need to be monitored and watched for. I found that dexamethasone can throw the body’s endocrine system out of balance, causing abnormal changes in cortisol, testosterone levels, and other hormones. During the last two months of dexamethasone use, I was increasingly feeling the hormone imbalance effects.
Osteoporosis can be another complication of long-term steroid use, and I was started on a regular schedule of bone density scans. It is my understanding that there can also be eye related problems such as you are experiencing. Some oncologist may be really familiar with these complications, but I suspect there are many who are not as familiar.
In my experience, I was referred to an endocrinologist who was experienced with long-term dexamethasone use and I was also given the choice to see an eye doctor if I felt I was having vision problems.
With all these specialists helping with the long-term effects of dexamethasone, we had discussions about the risk versus benefit of the dexamethasone, understanding that any changes would need to be discussed and approved with my oncologist.
My lesson learned is that with long-term dexamethasone use, the medical team that is treating me may need to be expanded to help deal with a wide range of potential side effects of dexamethasone. Not that there is always something that can be done to mitigate the effects, but it is good to know just what is happening and detect early if any serious problems develop that may require stopping dexamethasone.
-
Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Possible eye issues due to dexamethasone
I experienced increased nearsightedness after 4 months of dex use (4 RVD cycles). I was ready to go to the optometrist, but happily, my vision has returned to normal in the last week.
Good point about expanding treatment to other specialists. Its important that they work TOGETHER. For example, I had a coronary stent implanted a week after my last RVD cycle. There are two types of stents: medicated, and plain steel. The medicated ones incorporate anti-clotting drugs, and I wouldn't need to take clopidogrel (Plavix), an anti-platelet drug. However, my platelet count was closely monitored during chemo, and the medicated stent would have released anti-platelet drugs for one year. I got the oncologist and cardiologist to talk to each other, and it was decided to go for a plain stent, so that I could cease the clopidigrel if my platelets got too low.
These doctors worked well together, but it sometimes can be hard to get specialists to look beyond their own specialty.
Good point about expanding treatment to other specialists. Its important that they work TOGETHER. For example, I had a coronary stent implanted a week after my last RVD cycle. There are two types of stents: medicated, and plain steel. The medicated ones incorporate anti-clotting drugs, and I wouldn't need to take clopidogrel (Plavix), an anti-platelet drug. However, my platelet count was closely monitored during chemo, and the medicated stent would have released anti-platelet drugs for one year. I got the oncologist and cardiologist to talk to each other, and it was decided to go for a plain stent, so that I could cease the clopidigrel if my platelets got too low.
These doctors worked well together, but it sometimes can be hard to get specialists to look beyond their own specialty.
Re: Possible eye issues due to dexamethasone
I would like to thank you both for your inputs on my post. I just had a Velcade treatment on Friday, and they let me know that they had already received all the reports from my eye doctor. I have nothing but positive things to say about my thorough eye exams that I receive from my eye doctor. He is always adding some new test / machines to his practice, staying on the cutting edge.
He does feel that the dex, being a steroid, causes the thickening around the outer eye surface. I meet with my oncologist on Tuesday for another Velcade injection and will talk it over.
One other thing that I have been wanting to add was that my Aflac cancer policy pays towards the dex because they consider it an anti-nausea medication. I didn't realize it was. Learn something all the time with all these drugs and treatments.
Thanks You, George
He does feel that the dex, being a steroid, causes the thickening around the outer eye surface. I meet with my oncologist on Tuesday for another Velcade injection and will talk it over.
One other thing that I have been wanting to add was that my Aflac cancer policy pays towards the dex because they consider it an anti-nausea medication. I didn't realize it was. Learn something all the time with all these drugs and treatments.
Thanks You, George
-
Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
4 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Return to Treatments & Side Effects