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Case Reports
. 2010 Nov 22;3(3):423-427.
doi: 10.1159/000322675.

Oxaliplatin-Related Ocular Toxicity

Affiliations
Case Reports

Oxaliplatin-Related Ocular Toxicity

Marina Mesquida et al. Case Rep Oncol. .

Abstract

We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with advanced colorectal cancer who was treated with oxaliplatin on a FOLFOX schedule. After 3 cycles of chemotherapy, she started to complain of visual loss, altered color vision and neurological symptoms. Due to the suspicion of ocular and neurological toxicity, antineoplastic treatment was stopped. Her visual field showed a concentric bilateral scotoma and the electrooculogram test revealed severe impairment of the retinal pigment epithelium. Visual acuity, color vision and visual field recovered completely 8 months later, although electrooculogram remained abnormal. Ocular toxicity has been reported as an infrequent adverse event of oxaliplatin. Findings in this case indicate toxicity of this chemotherapeutic agent on the retinal pigment epithelium, which has not been reported before. This damage could be permanent, and it thus differs from previously described oxaliplatin-induced ocular toxicities, which are usually transient and reversible. With increasing use of oxaliplatin as first-line treatment in advanced colorectal cancer, we have to be aware of this possible toxicity.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Retinography. Fundus examination did not show any alteration in the macular area or optic disc in both RE (a) and LE (b).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Computerized perimetry. a First visual field performed after 1 month without oxaliplatin chemotherapy showed a concentric defect with deeply diminished light sensitivity. BCVA was 20/30 in the RE and 15/25 in the LE. b After 8 months without oxaliplatin, the visual field shows practically complete recovery of light sensitivity in both eyes, with only mild residual defects remaining. BCVA was 20/20 in both eyes.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Optical coherence tomography. OCT of the optic nerve head reveals a normal retinal nerve fiber layer of both optic discs (RE and LE).

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