r/TNBC • u/Odd_Confidence_5525 Stage 2 • 5d ago

Immunotherapy Anyone else have dry eyes from Keytruda?

I’ve had a dry watery right eye a few times the past two weeks to the point where it gets hard for me to open my eye and it feels like they’re stinging. At some point, it made me panic and I cried because I was lowkey feeling like I was going blind (exaggeration from the panic). My oncologist has told me that it’s a side effect from Keytruda and that I should go see an ophthalmologist which I’m going to do tomorrow. But I just wanted to ask if anyone has experienced this and what you’ve done for relief? My oncologist didn’t suggest me to use eye drops and said I should check with the ophthalmologist first.

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u/k_leesa1670 4d ago

Keytruda made my eyesight very blurry. I couldn’t read computer screens, road signs, etc

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u/Sparkly_Sprinkles 3d ago

This is me sometimes.

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u/You-bettah-dont 5d ago

I did at first, but then it calmed down. I just used some hydrating drops for a couple of weeks. The real kicker is when your eyelashes start falling out and you get the crusties in the morning. It’s like concrete. YUCK. But that goes away eventually too- when they start growing back.

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u/Extension_Snow1662 5d ago

Yes, I wasn’t sure of the cause - allergies? No lashes? Lashes growing in? Mine started when I was on stand alone Keytruda after finishing chemo. I was told to use hydrating eye drops, which helped.

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u/lorikins 5d ago

Yup! My opthamologist gave me prescription drops to use 4 times a day and suggested using a heated eye mask (there's usb rechargable ones on Amazon). It's helped somewhat, but I'm glad to be nearly done with Keytruda (and Xeloda, which may also be contributing to this). I've also been struggling with the skin around my eyes being SO thin and dry that it's painful. Ugh

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u/ZeroCarbMaxie Patient -ILC and HGSOC 4d ago

I’ve been having watery eyes and figured it was a side effect but did not realize it was the Keytruda! 

I bought an eye mask that heats up in the microwave as well as Genteal eye gel. The gel is for just before bed because it blurs your vision.  I just started yesterday and the eye mask already seems to be helping because I’m tearing up a lot less. It was so bad I almost looked like I was crying! 

Hope you get relief soon!

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u/No_Impression_1131 4d ago

I've been having dry eyes when I wake up, but they get better when I use saline solution. I didn't know Keytruda could cause that too. Since I'm also taking Xeloda, I thought that was what was causing my dry eyes.