To Report a Case of Tamoxifen-induced Retinopathy Diagnosed Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report a case of tamoxifen-induced retinopathy diagnosed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old female presented with metamorphopsia in the left eye and binocular vision loss which started 5 months prior. She had no record of external trauma, diabetes or high blood pressure; however, she had been taking 21.9 g tamoxifen (20 mg/day) since October 2012 after a surgery of her left breast due to cancer. On the initial visit, fundus photography showed crystalline dot-like deposits in both parafoveae. Additionally, fluorescence angiography revealed a small leakage around the macular area. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was obtained to differentiate from other diseases because fundus photography showed crystalline retinopathy. The OCT revealed a normal right eye but the left macula had a microcystic lesion. Based on the diagnosis of tamoxifen-induced retinopathy, the patient stopped taking tamoxifen. Three months after discontinuation of tamoxifen, fundus photography showed slightly decreased crystalline deposits in the parafoveal area and visual acuity of the right eye was slightly improved. However, SD-OCT showed a slightly aggravated disruption of the outer retina in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Although retinopathy caused by treatment with tamoxifen occurs infrequently, to prevent complications and irreversible damage, patients who take tamoxifen for medical purposes need to undergo a regular ophthalmologic examination.