Patient with Malignancies Calls for Eye Care Providers

Anna H, Szilagyi Z and Barcsay-Veres A

Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Semmelweis University of Medicine, Hungary
Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University of Medicine, Hungary

^*Correspondance to: Horváth Anna 

 PDF  Full Text Review Article | Open Access

Abstract:

Severe Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is less known among clinical oncologist, although it causes great discomfort to their patients. This review helps to recognize and understood MGD and assist to be familiar with the therapy as well. Meibomian gland dysfunction is very common all over the world, the incidence is in the Caucasian population is up to 20%, and in the Asian population it is around 60%. Based on the literature, we expect MGD to be more common among patients with malignant diseases, but because of the primer cancer disease, it takes a back seat and we do not recognize it. Among patient with malignancies the MGD and tarsal conjunctival changes with excess lipid accumulation and topical inflammatory responses in the subconjunctival layer are not only caused by hormonal changes, but chemo-, radio- and biological therapy, too. However, ocular
surface toxicity is becoming increasingly relevant in the management of patients on these agents.
Although ocular adverse events are not directly life-threatening, but they are related to the patient's
quality of life and should be given more attention by oncologists and hematologists, especially in
patients with a promising long-term prognosis. We believe that prescribing any anticancer agent is
enough to merit ophthalmic referral in order to establish an ophthalmic baseline and to lower the
incidence of ocular adverse drug reactions with proper management plans.

Keywords:

Meibomian gland dysfunction; Quality of life; Ocular adverse events; Solid tumors

Cite the Article:

Anna H, Szilagyi Z, Barcsay-Veres A. Patient with Malignancies Calls for Eye Care Providers. Clin Oncol. 2022;7:1974..