Eye Tearing due to Chemo A/C & Taxotere

[alarson]

I have just finshed A/C 4 treatments and Taxotere 4 treatments - last treatment was on 12/26/07.  I am still experiencing eye tearing.  The tear glosses over my eye and makes it hard to see.  Once I wipe the eye it feels better.  The good feeling lasts between  1- 15 minutes.  I have a reddish color that circles around the outside skin area of my eye. The eye ball itself is normal looking.  The tearing is worse when I am outside in the cold Iowa weather but I am mostly inside my house.

I understand that ACT can cause tearing.  I understand it can last for a few weeks following treatment.  I am on week 3 and I think it's about 10% better.  My onc. has an eye doctor that I can see that can see me - but my onc. also said it could go away soon.  I keep holding out and thinking it will stop soon to save time and money by seeing yet another doctor.

I was researching this issue on this website and found one doctor that said this could be perminate and people should see a doctor right away.  My onc. has not told me this....should I be worried?  I would like to wait one more week and see if it stops - then see the doctor if needed on Thursday when I need to get out to get marked for Radiation.

Should I put real tear drops in for now and see if this helps?  Any ideas or suggestions....

Has anyone experienced this tearing NOT stopping?

THANKS!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

If your oncologist thinks you need to see an Eye MD ophthalmologist than take his/her advise. You are putting your life in their hands why wouldn't you follow their advise.

JCH III MD