Ocular sequelae from the illicit use of class A drugs
British and Irish Orthoptic Journal – January 01, 2004
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Recreational use of various drugs significantly impairs vision, affecting acuity and eye movement. A review highlights ocular issues stemming from Class A substances, including narcotics like Heroin and Methadone, and Hallucinogens such as Ecstasy, Lysergic acid diethylamide, Mescaline, Phencyclidine, and Psilocybin. These recreational drugs cause diverse visual changes. Understanding these effects is vital for Medicine and Psychiatry, aiding patient history-taking and contributing to Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Aim: To highlight the changes that may take place in the visual system of the class A drug abuser.Methods: A literature review was carried out of ocular/visual sequelae of the more common class A drugs. These include stimulants (cocaine and crack cocaine), narcotics (heroin, morphine, methadone) and hallucinogenics (ecstasy, lysergic acid diethylamide, magic mushrooms, mescaline, phencyclidine).Results: Ocular sequelae affecting visual acuity, the eye and its adnexa, ocular pasture and ocular motility can result from recreational use of these drug(s).Conclusions: Awareness of the consequences of illicit drug use should lead to more pertinent questioning during history-taking.