PerthNorg

Breast cancer tears being investigated

Why do many women being treated for breast cancer get watery eyes?

Researchers in Perth are hoping to find answers thanks to a multi-centre medical study happening here and in

Melbourne. Eye experts and breast cancer specialists are involved in the study, part of which is being run at the Lions Eye Institute in Nedlands. 

Dr Arlene Chan is the trial instigator and has wanted to investigate the problem of watery eyes for years.  “I specialise in breast cancer at Perth’s Mount

Hospital and see the symptoms frequently,” she said. “Perhaps up to half of all women having chemotherapy get some degree of watery eyes. About 13,000 Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year: in WA 1200 women have been diagnosed with the disease in the last 12 months.  Women undergoing chemotherapy also report eye irritation, blurred vision and hyperaemia (increased blood flow). 

Dr Chan is working with Lions Eye Institute ophthalmologist Dr Adam Gajdatsy on the trial: Dr Gajdatsy is an oculoplastic specialist. “We’re hoping to discover some answers about the watery eyes,” he said. “Why does the chemotherapy agent cause scarring on the tear ducts? How can we prevent this happening? We’d like to find out, as this complication is the last thing women need while they’re dealing with breast cancer.” 

The study will examine 100 women of varying ages and is expected to finish in the first half of next year. One of those patients, 54-year-old mother of two Claire Bentley, says the study is important. 

“I wake up every morning with my eyes glued shut,” she said.  “At first it was just tears, but it’s got worse and worse.” Ms Bentley is a librarian at St Stephen’s School in Carramar and reads a lot: she regularly has to stop reading and wipe her eyes.

If the study produces answers, Dr Chan and Dr Gajdatsy will seek funding to initiate a larger trial looking at ways to prevent watery eyes from occurring when women with breast cancer receive chemotherapy.