Ocular Surface Side Effects of Novel Anticancer Drugs

simple summary anticancer drugs can determine alterations in the ocular surface system as side effects that can be referred to by patients as ocular discomfort symptoms and, sometimes, as reduced visual acuity. for this reason, it becomes essential to spread knowledge of the entire spectrum of ocular side effects of these drugs, especially for newer and more recent drugs. this review aims at analyzing the adverse effects on the ocular surface of these innovative anticancer drugs, trying to highlight the physiopathogenetic mechanisms underlying these complications and providing useful indications to clinicians for their proper management.abstract surgery, anticancer drugs (chemotherapy, hormonal medicines, and targeted treatments), and/or radiation are common treatment strategies for neoplastic diseases. anticancer drugs eliminate malignant cells through the inhibition of specific pathways that contribute to the formation and development of cancer. given the ability of such pharmacological medications to combat cancerous cells, their role in the management of neoplastic diseases has become essential. however, these drugs may also lead to undesirable systemic and ocular adverse effects due to cyto/neuro-toxicity and inflammatory reactions. ocular surface side effects are recognized to significantly impact patient's quality of life and quality of vision. blepharoconjunctivitis is known to be a common side effect caused by oxaliplatin, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, and docetaxel, while anastrozole, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil can all determine dry eye disease. however, the potential processes involved in the development of these alterations are yet not fully understood, especially for novel drugs currently available for cancer treatment. this review aims at analyzing the potential ocular surface and adnexal side effects of novel anticancer medications, trying to provide a better understanding of the underlying pharmacological processes and useful insights on the choice of proper management.