Ocular sequelae from the illicit use of class A drugs
British and Irish Orthoptic Journal January 1, 2004 DOI: 10.22599/bioj.239 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractRecreational use of class A drugs—stimulants like cocaine, narcotics like heroin and methadone, and hallucinogenics like ecstasy and LSD—can damage the visual system. A review of the literature found that these drugs cause ocular sequelae affecting visual acuity, the eye and its adnexa, ocular pasture, and ocular motility. Awareness of these consequences should prompt more pertinent questioning during medical history-taking.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Literature review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD MDMA Mescaline Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Phencyclidine Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key finding | Recreational use of class A drugs can cause ocular sequelae affecting visual acuity, the eye and its adnexa, ocular pasture, and ocular motility. |
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.