Ocular adverse reactions associated with adriamycin (doxorubicin)

To assess the ocular safety of doxorubicin, we reviewed doxorubicin-associated ocular adverse reactions reported to Adria Laboratories or published in the clinical literature. Conjunctivitis was the most frequently reported reaction. Periorbital edema was reported in two patients, and lacrimation was reported in a published study. Blepharospasm, keratitis, and decreased visual acuity were reported once each in patients treated with combination chemotherapeutic regimens containing doxorubicin. These reactions usually resolved rapidly on discontinuation of the drug. Conjunctivitis frequently followed accidental ocular exposure to doxorubicin. All but a few of these reactions cleared within 24 hours of exposure. The infrequent nature and usually rapid resolution of these ocular adverse reactions suggest that when ocular toxicities occur in patients undergoing doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy, the cautious reintroduction of doxorubicin, if further antineoplastic therapy is indicated, should be considered.