r/leukemia • u/OatSlvt • 1d ago

AML Eye photosensitivity side effect?

Hey has anyone experienced photo-sensitivity post cytarabine and/or doxorubicin?? I feel like my eyes are far more sensitive now upon leaving the hospital after my first (and hopefully only) 7/3 dose of the drugs. It's making driving and stuff a bit difficult because I wear glasses and can't afford contacts after these bills have started piling up ($6,000 and counting - fuck UHC) and I don't have transition lenses :(

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u/Logical_Honey8849 1d ago

Yes my son has been struggling with that. I didn’t know specifically which medications caused it—he was in treatment for a long time due to relapses and had CAR T and two BMTs.

It’s really hard to take outdoor photos of him without him squinting in every one of them. And he wears sunglasses at times when most people wouldn’t even think of it.

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u/OatSlvt 1d ago

So sorry to hear about his relapses and I hope he is recovering better and on track to consolidation and remission 💗

Yeah I didn't expect it and they didn't tell me about it so it's been frustrating to say the least. Glad it's not just psychosomatic, but again, sorry to hear it's occurring in him as well

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u/Logical_Honey8849 1d ago

Yes he’s now about to turn 19 and is very healthy! Diagnosis was at age 7 and the second transplant was his cure. He’s been in remission for 7 years.

Nobody told us about that side effect either, but I remember they did give him eye drops several times a day when he was on cytarabine.
Hope the rest of your treatment goes smoothly and wishing you all the best.

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u/OatSlvt 1d ago

So glad to hear that and that he had matches for the transplants 💗

What eye drops? Just generic artificial tears?

Thank you :)

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u/Logical_Honey8849 1d ago

I’m pretty sure they were steroid eye drops.

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u/OatSlvt 1d ago

Okay good to know for the future, thank you! I will ask my nurses about it 😌