Refractive error and visual acuity changes following systemic chemotherapy

 The aim of this study was to compare refractive error, uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA) changes in patients with different types of cancer before and after completing the course of systemic chemotherapy

 Sixty-four right eyes of 64 consecutive patients with cancer were evaluated prospectively to compare the changes of UDVA and CDVA using standard Snellen chart and refractive errors using objective refraction before and after chemotherapy process.

 The mean age of patients was 52.7± 12.9 (range, 27-80) years [28(43.8%) males, and 36 (56.3%) females]. The most changes in refractive error were found in hyperopic patients in the component of “spherical equivalent” (0.69±1.34) and “spherical” (0.61±2.37) refractive error after the first course of chemotherapy. However, the other changes in deferent refractive error groups were under -0.25 diopter. Although the spherical refractive error in all patients’ groups decreased, these reductions were not statistically significant (P>0.05). On the other hand, in all patients’ groups, the amount of cylindrical refractive error was increased, but these changes were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Although the UDVA in different refractive error groups had insignificant changes after completing the course of chemotherapy, these changes were not statistically significant(P>0.05). In addition, the CDVA in different refractive error groups remained relatively stable following the chemotherapy process (P>0.05).

 The refractive error, UCVA and CDVA after completing the course of systemic chemotherapy remained relatively unchanged. This study revealed that in patients with cancer, the refractive error and vision are not influenced by chemotherapy medication.