Survey of current status of adverse ocular reactions to paclitaxel and a retrospective analysis for aiding in early detection of adverse reactions

: We have observed several cases of adverse reactions to paclitaxel, including visual impairment and lacrimation. Therefore, we conducted a survey of the current status of adverse reactions to paclitaxel and also performed a retrospective analysis of the initial symptoms and the times of their appearance. Of the 22 study patients, 8(36. 4%)presented with adverse ocular reactions, such as visual impairment and lacrimation, and for 3(13. 6%), an ophthalmologist confirmed that paclitaxel could not be ruled out as the direct cause of their adverse reactions. The group of patients who presented with adverse ocular reactions included significantly more patients with ocular complications and a previous history of ocular ailments, compared to the group showing no such reactions. The timing of reaction appearance did not show a consistent pattern. The results of this study suggest that the initial symptoms were mainly visual impairment and lacrimation, and that caution must be taken when administering paclitaxel to patients with a previous history of ocular ailments and ocular complications because of the risk of adverse ocular reactions. Thus, adverse ocular reactions to paclitaxel were indicated as a possible risk, in addition to other adverse events such as myelosuppression and peripheral neuropathy.