"Visual disturbances" / phosphenes

[ecappiello]

Has anyone had any "visual disturbances"/phosphenes from their chemo?

2 weeks after I had finished my 6th session, I had a problem with my vision. I now see a faint Checkerboard/grid pattern everywhere I look. Even when my eyes are closed I still see it. Doctors at the ER thought probably from atipical migraines, but they should usually only last a few hours. I am now going on 2 weeks with this. Had an MRI and have seen an opthomalogist. Now waiting to be scheduled with another eye specialist.

Anyone else have this problem or know of someone else that has had it?

[Tesla_7US]

ecappiello, I had "optical migraines" after carbo/taxol and cisplatin. No pain, but vision impaired. It presented as an elliptical shape in the center of my vision, whirling in a circle throwing off sparks of color, like a burning fire cracker. This occurred whether eyes open or shut. Also, eyes extremely sensitive to light. Could not read or drive. finally went away about 6 months after chemo completed.

[ecappiello in reply to Tesla_7US]

Thank you for responding. Sounds similar. Was yours constant or intermittent?

Encouraging to hear that your symptoms finally went away.

[Tesla_7US in reply to Tesla_7US]

Triggered by bright light, intermittent. I also started using Refresh eye drops due to dryness.

[Janet235]

I went to the optician when I had frequent optical migraines as described by Tesla, during taxol treatment. I also had fuzzy vision which I described as pixelated maybe something like you are describing... he said there was nothing sinister going on except my eyes were extremely dry.

A combination of blephasol (? So) wipes to moisten eyelids and viscotears gel eye drops to moisten the eye surface itself. Both bought from any chemist.

That sorted the problem so may be worth a try... or mentioning to your opthalmist

Janet x 🌈

[ecappiello in reply to Janet235]

Thank you for responding. Everyone on this sight is so wonderful about sharing. I will check that out with my eye doctor for sure.

[AndreeP]

Hi I didn’t have those eye problems but my glasses prescription changed a couple of times in six months.

[ecappiello]

Thank you for your input. My glasses prescription has changed some also. The possible vision problems seem to be something a little glossed over when my gyn/enc was rattling off the many, many reactions to chemo. Although I was still a deer in the headlights at the time so that could explain some of it.