Did You Participate in the Myeloma Eye Health Survey? Read the Results!

Did you recently participate in the HealthTree Cure Hub survey about dexamethasone’s impact on eye health for people with multiple myeloma? This study was led by Rahul Banerjee, MD, and Andrew J. Cowan, MD, from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. 

The survey results have been published, and we're excited to share them with you! We're deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this possible. Your participation in HealthTree Cure Hub's simple surveys is making a meaningful impact on advancing myeloma research.

Dr. Banerjee, Dr. Cowan, and Team’s Findings 

Dr. Banerjee was interviewed at the International Myeloma Society conference to share the results of the collaborative study with HealthTree. Watch the interview below or continue reading the article for the findings. 

So, How Does Dexamethasone Impact Myeloma Patients’ Eye Health? 

In this study conducted through HealthTree Cure Hub, 582 myeloma patients, averaging 65.9 years old, provided insights about their eye health. 50% of patients had received high doses of dexamethasone in the past, 12% had received low doses of dexamethasone, and 30% had not been treated with dexamethasone. 

Through this study, Dr. Banerjee, Dr. Cowan, and their team discovered that dexamethasone exposure correlated with cataracts and other eye health issues. 

Dexamethasone exposure and cataracts

• 63% of patients who had high-dose dexamethasone developed cataracts, where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurred vision.
• 53% of those on low-dose dexamethasone had cataracts.
• 51% of patients who never received dexamethasone also experienced cataracts. 

Despite having cataracts, 43% of affected patients reported no impact on their daily activities, while 7% found it challenging to perform daily tasks.

Other Eye Health Findings

Glaucoma: There was no significant difference in the percentage of patients affected by glaucoma (a condition in which eye fluid buildup may lead to blindness) across the different groups (7-11%). 

Dry eyes and other conditions: 39% of all patients experienced dry eyes. 23% had styes or blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids accompanied by itchy, red skin and dandruff-like flakes. Interestingly, this was reported by patients regardless of whether they had been treated with the myeloma treatment bortezomib (Velcade), which has been linked to blepharitis in the past. 

Oncologist-recommended eye care: While 82% of patients visited an eye doctor at least once a year, only 32% recalled their oncologist recommending regular eye exams. This suggests a gap in the consistent endorsement of periodic eye examinations as part of supportive care for myeloma patients. 

Conclusion 

In summary, Drs. Banerjee and Cowan’s research shows that high doses of dexamethasone are linked to a greater risk of developing cataracts for myeloma patients. Dexamethasone may also increase your risk of developing blepharitis. It did not, however, increase patients’ risks of glaucoma. 

If you have concerns about developing cataracts while taking high-dose dexamethasone, speak with your myeloma specialist about other treatment options. 

Advance Myeloma Research Through HealthTree Cure Hub Surveys 

To participate in myeloma research like the study above and improve patient outcomes, click the button below to access simple surveys in HealthTree Cure Hub.

Participate in Myeloma Surveys

Sources: 

• International Myeloma Society Annual Meeting 2024
• Glaucoma | National Eye Institute
• Blepharitis | National Eye Institute
• Cataracts | National Eye Institute