Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 11, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Refractive Surgical Correction for Presbyopia and Exploring Postoperative Visual Acuity
05:46

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Refractive Surgical Correction for Presbyopia and Exploring Postoperative Visual Acuity

Published on: September 20, 2024

552

Refractive Shifts and Changes in Corneal Curvature Associated With Antibody-Drug Conjugates

Julia Canestraro1, Malin Hultcrantz2, Shanu Modi3

  • 1Ophthalmic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.

Cornea
|November 28, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) can cause refractive shifts, with peripheral microcyst-like epithelial changes (MECs) linked to hyperopic shifts and central MECs to myopic shifts. Vision changes often resolve after treatment cessation.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Oncology
  • Corneal Disease

Background:

  • Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are an emerging class of cancer therapeutics.
  • Some ADCs are associated with ocular side effects, including corneal abnormalities.
  • Limited data exists on refractive changes in patients undergoing ADC therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between ADC-related keratopathy, specifically microcyst-like epithelial changes (MECs), and refractive error shifts.
  • To analyze the dynamics of refractive error and keratometry in patients treated with ADCs.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case series of 29 patients (58 eyes) with ADC-related keratopathy.
  • One eye per patient randomly selected for analysis.
  • Correlated MEC location with refractive error changes (myopic/hyperopic shifts) using spherical equivalence (SE) and keratometry data.

Main Results:

  • Peripheral MECs correlated with hyperopic shifts (P < 0.001).
  • Paracentral/central MECs correlated with myopic shifts (P < 0.001).
  • On drug, 68% experienced myopic shifts (up to -4.75 D) and 32% hyperopic shifts (up to +3.75 D). Vision improved in 82% by 3 months off-drug.

Conclusions:

  • MEC location is a significant predictor of refractive shift direction in ADC-treated patients.
  • Myopic shifts and corneal steepening are common while on ADC therapy.
  • Refractive error and vision often normalize after discontinuing ADC treatment.

More Related Videos

Comparison of Agreement and Accuracy using Binocular Wavefront Optometer with Autorefractor and Phoropter05:14

Comparison of Agreement and Accuracy using Binocular Wavefront Optometer with Autorefractor and Phoropter

Published on: September 16, 2025

152
Confocal Microscopy Reveals Cell Surface Receptor Aggregation Through Image Correlation Spectroscopy06:51

Confocal Microscopy Reveals Cell Surface Receptor Aggregation Through Image Correlation Spectroscopy

Published on: August 2, 2018

7.2K

Related Concept Videos

Focusing of Light in the Eye01:16

Focusing of Light in the Eye

Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...
3.4K
Affinity and Avidity01:41

Affinity and Avidity

Overview
37.0K
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment01:28

Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment

Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
885
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
746
Antibody Actions01:26

Antibody Actions

Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...
1.5K
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
957