In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is essential to check in with your breast health and to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer. This blog post talks about Tamoxifen's ocular side effects in honor of Breast Cancer Month.
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, making it the most common cancer. The good news is that there are many things you can do to lower your risk of developing breast cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and limiting your alcohol intake.
If you are concerned about your breast health or have unusual symptoms, it is essential to see your doctor for a check-up.
Tamoxifen is a medication used to treat breast cancer for over 40 years. It works by blocking the effects of estrogen in the body, which can help slow tumor growth.
One common side effect of Tamoxifen is changing vision. Some people may experience blurry, double vision or trouble seeing in low-light conditions. If you experience any changes to your vision while taking Tamoxifen, talk to your doctor.
A retinal eye examination is highly recommended every six to twelve months if you take Tamoxifen. This is because Tamoxifen can increase the risk of developing macular edema, a build-up of fluid in the retina. Ultimately may lead to an increase in the risk of developing macular degeneration, which is a condition that leads to vision loss.
Optometrists do more than just prescribe eyewear. Optometrists are medical specialists that focus on the health of your eyes, including but not limited to routine eyecare and assessing your risk for developing ocular diseases such as macular degeneration or glaucoma. Therefore, including eye care professionals in your team of doctors is key to your overall health.
Other Ocular Side Effects include Dry Eyes, Eye Irritation, Inflammation of the Eyelid, and Redness of the Eye.
If you are taking Tamoxifen or have any questions about your eye health, schedule an appointment with your local optometrist today!