Ophthalmic Effects of Recreational (“Party”) Drugs: Clinical and Translational Perspectives
Journal of Clinical & Translational Ophthalmology May 12, 2026 Vinoth Navaratnam, Jurgen Baumann, Maneli Mozaffarieh
Recreational party drug use is common in social settings and increasingly relevant to eye care. While neurological and cardiovascular effects are well known, ocular and visual consequences may be underrecognized in clinical practice. This narrative review describes clinical observations and underlying mechanisms for eye problems linked to common recreational substances: sympathomimetic stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines), empathogens (MDMA), inhalants (alkyl nitrites, poppers), and cannabinoids (cannabis/THC). Key mechanisms include vascular dysregulation, altered eye blood pressure, impaired venous drainage, oxidative stress, and nerve dysfunction. The review discusses characteristic symptoms, diagnostic challenges, and management. Better awareness of these drug-related eye effects could enable earlier detection and reduce risk of visual complications. Evidence for hallucinogens and emerging psychoactive compounds remains limited.