[Tamoxifen retinopathy: a case series of clinical and functional data]

Tamoxifen is used in the treatment of selected patients with breast carcinoma. Rarely, it has been shown to cause ocular toxic effects including crystalline retinopathy.

Retrospective analysis of clinical and functional (visual acuity, visual field, colour vision) data of a case series of eight female patients under tamoxifen therapy with electrophysiological examination.

Seven of eight patients complained of visual disturbances. In one case, examination showed crystalline deposits in the cornea and macular area. Three patients revealed changes in full-field and multifocal electroretinogram, and two had a pathological multifocal electroretinogram only. In six cases we applied a desaturated panel D-15 colour vision test; five of these showed some disorders.

Most tamoxifen patients who complained of visual disturbances showed electrophysiological changes, particularly in the multifocal electroretinogram and often without a certain morphological correlate. We recommend electrophysiological examination for patients with unclear visual deterioration who are receiving tamoxifen therapy.