The medication Iressa which is also known as gefitinib is a targeted therapy used to treat non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have failed other treatment according to the Mayo Clinic. All medications have some side effects and Iressa has been found to have some effect on the eyes. Before beginning this medication, patients should have a full eye examination by an eye doctor and should contact the doctor if any changes in vision or eye problems develop while taking the medication.
Dry Eye
According to the gefitinib package insert, a common side effect is the development of dry eyes. The patient may experience redness, itching and tearing of the eyes as well. As noted on the Mayo Clinic website, the patient should let his physician know if these symptoms develop.
Blepharitis
Patients taking gefitinib may develop red and irritated eye lids; this condition is called blepharitis. According to the package insert, blepharitis is a common side effect of using this medication. This is typically mild but patients should make the eye doctor aware of this complication.
Conjunctivitis
Patients who take Iressa can also develop conjunctivitis, inflammation and irritation of the conjunctiva. In these patients, this condition is generally mild but the patient should let the eye doctor know about the symptoms for management suggestions.
Corneal Erosions
Some patients develop corneal erosions where the epithelial layer of cell on the cornea comes off of the cornea. This can be caused by eyelashes which grow in the wrong direction and rub the cornea according to the package insert. If an erosion becomes infected, it becomes a corneal ulcer which is a serious eye problem that requires prompt management by an eye doctor.
