The response of anti-VEGF therapy and tamoxifen withdrawal of tamoxifen-induced cystoid macular edema in the same patient

Abstract Background Numerous cases with ocular toxicity secondary to tamoxifen have been reported, and became more apparent with keratopathy, cataract, optic neuritis, macular holes, crystalline retinopathy with or without cystoid macular edema (CME). Withdrawing tamoxifen with the approval of the o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chuanyu Li, Jun Xiao, He Zou, Bo Yang, Lifu Luo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2021-05-01
Series:BMC Ophthalmology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-021-01953-z
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Numerous cases with ocular toxicity secondary to tamoxifen have been reported, and became more apparent with keratopathy, cataract, optic neuritis, macular holes, crystalline retinopathy with or without cystoid macular edema (CME). Withdrawing tamoxifen with the approval of the oncologist is the major treatment for cases with tamoxifen-induced retinopathy. Case presentation We herein reported a patient with a two-year history of painless and reduced visual acuity in both eyes who received tamoxifen therapy for 6 years. Tamoxifen-induced rentinopathy with CME showed significant development even though the patient has already discontinued tamoxifen treatment for 6 months. Anatomic improvements after intravitreal ranibizumab injection in both eyes were significant but were temporary. Surprisingly, CME in both eyes has been resolved spontaneously after 10 months in the penultimate visit without any therapy. Conclusion Intravitreal ranibizumab injection temporarily improved the anatomy of the eyes in a case with tamoxifen-induced CME, and only tamoxifen withdrawal can bring a sustained effect.
ISSN:1471-2415