Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Visual disturbances have been previously published during a cancer treatment with oxaliplatin (OXA) in some of case reports. This study investigates the ocular toxicity of OXA on rat eye tissues by using histopathological staining. Additionally, the reversibility of findings, if there is any, were assessed with waiting periods.

METHODS

6-8 months old rats have been separated in five groups. Acute OXA treatment (4 mg/kg) has been administered to the 1st, 3rd and 5th days; consequently, the eye samples obtained at day 7th and 14th days of the study. Chronic OXA treatment (4 mg/kg) has been administered for 4 weeks (two days of week); the rats sacrificed 28thday and following 21st days of the completing administration of drug. One group was used as a control.

RESULTS

The most striking irreversible-features of OXA treatment were endothelial polypoid proliferation of the vessel, neo-vascularisation of cornea, capillarisation of optic nerve and at some degree, degeneration of retinal nerve fibre layer.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

OXA treatment could be responsible for sight threatening side effects by influencing different parts of the ophthalmic system; therefore, oncologist and ophthalmologists should keep in mind the irreversibl-ophthalmic adverse effects of OXA treatment in oncology patients.