Prevalence and spectrum of manifestations of tamoxifen retinopathy as assessed by multimodal and ultra-widefield retinal imaging

Abstract

Background/objectives: Tamoxifen has well-known retinal toxicity, but the epidemiology of this toxicity is poorly defined. This study aims to 1) evaluate the prevalence of tamoxifen retinopathy in a major northeastern metropolitan area based on multimodal retinal imaging and 2) determine whether the additional peripheral retina captured in ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging aids in the diagnosis of tamoxifen retinopathy.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined female patients initiated on tamoxifen for at least 12 months prior to their first retinal exam. Two independent graders performed blinded review of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) images for evidence of macular toxicity and UWF images for signs of central and peripheral toxicity. A one-tailed two-proportion Z-test determined whether peripheral pigmentary changes were more prevalent in the tamoxifen cohort than age- and gender-matched controls.

Results: 241 eyes from 123 patients were included in the tamoxifen cohort, and 258 eyes from 132 patients were included in the control cohort. Two patients demonstrated definitive tamoxifen retinopathy, for a prevalence of 1.6%. One patient demonstrated crystalline maculopathy on OCT and UWF imaging, while another demonstrated pseudocystic cavitations on OCT imaging. Neither patient had peripheral findings on UWF imaging. Peripheral pigmentary changes were not significantly more prevalent in the tamoxifen cohort.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that UWF imaging does not contribute to diagnosis of tamoxifen retinopathy, and OCT may be the most valuable tool in diagnosing tamoxifen retinopathy. Our prevalence (1.6%) diverges from higher rates in studies screening with similarly advanced retinal imaging. Further large population studies are needed.