Alphabet Soup: Clinical Pearls for the Retina Specialist-Ocular Toxicity of Advanced Antineoplastic Agents in Systemic Cancer Care

Abstract

Targeted antineoplastic agents and immunotherapies have revolutionized management strategies available for previously refractory cancer. Despite the growing list of pharmacologic agents and indications, many of the currently Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies are associated with ocular adverse effects. Retina specialists and oncologists should be aware of potential side effects because some may be severe and permanent. Although most ocular side effects require conservative treatment without discontinuation of life-preserving therapies, rare severe adverse reactions can be potentially blinding and may warrant an extensive discussion regarding different management strategies, including cessation of life-preserving therapy.