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Review
. 2022 Jan-Feb;36(1):40-48.
doi: 10.21873/invivo.12674.

Ocular Side Effects of Aromatase Inhibitor Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer - A Review

Dragos Serban  1   2 , Daniel Ovidiu Costea  3   4 , Anca Zgura  5   6 , Mihail Silviu Tudosie  7   8 , Ana Maria Dascalu  9   10 , Gabriel Andrei Gangura  1   11 , Catalin Gabriel Smarandache  1   2 , Alexandru Dan Sabau  12   13 , Corneliu Tudor  2 , Mihai Faur  12   13 , Andreea Cristina Costea  14 , Daniela Stana  10 , Simona Andreea Balasescu  2 , Laura Carina Tribus  15   16 , Ciprian Tanasescu  12   13
Affiliations
Review

Ocular Side Effects of Aromatase Inhibitor Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer - A Review

Dragos Serban et al. In Vivo. 2022 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Background: Aromatase inhibitor therapy is currently the preferred choice in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. This article reviews the ocular side effects of treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in patients with breast cancer.

Materials and methods: A comprehensive search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science and Google scholar.

Results: After duplication removal, 14 clinical studies and 5 case reports, published between 2008 and 2021, were identified. Most frequently, AI treatment resulted in minor to moderate dry eye symptoms. "De novo" onset of Sjogren syndrome during AI therapy was also reported. Retinal and optic nerve side effects varied from mild, subclinical anatomic and functional impairment to severe decreased vision, secondary to hemi-central retinal artery occlusion, bilateral optic neuritis or uveitis with bilateral macular edema.

Conclusion: Visual disturbances encountered during AI treatment may be underestimated. Ophthalmic screening is important for early detection and appropriate treatment.

Keywords: Breast cancer; anastrozole; aromatase inhibitors; dry eye; endocrine therapy; ocular side-effects; review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The Authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this study.

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