Impaired Vision

Methamphetamine (meth) use can cause impaired vision as both a short-term and long-term effect of the drug on the body.

Short-term use of meth can cause pupil dilation, leading to sensitivity to light, difficulty focusing on objects, and blurred vision. Meth can also cause dry eyes and reduced tear production, leading to discomfort and irritation.

Long-term use of meth can cause more severe vision problems. Chronic meth use can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy. Meth-induced hypertension and vasoconstriction can cause ischemic optic neuropathy, leading to vision loss.

Meth use can also lead to decreased blood flow to the optic nerve, which can cause swelling of the optic nerve head and vision loss. Meth use can also exacerbate pre-existing eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, leading to further vision loss.

Rapid Eye Movement

Methamphetamine (meth) use can cause rapid eye movement (REM) as a short-term effect of the drug on the body. REM is a stage of sleep characterized by quick eye movements, increased brain activity, and vivid dreaming. However, meth-induced REM is unrelated to sleep and occurs when the person is awake and using the drug.

Meth-induced REM can cause the eyes to move quickly and uncontrollably, making it difficult to focus on objects or read. This can also cause eye strain, headaches, and fatigue. In severe cases, meth-induced REM can cause nystagmus, involuntary jerking of the eyes that can cause a loss of depth perception and balance problems.

The exact mechanism by which meth causes REM is not fully understood. Still, it is thought to be related to the effects of meth on the brain’s dopamine and norepinephrine systems, which regulate REM. Meth use can cause an overstimulation of these systems, increasing REM activity.

Retinal Vascular Occlusive Disease

Retinal vascular occlusive disease (RVOD) is a condition that can be caused by methamphetamine (meth) use. It is a rare but severe condition that affects the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. RVOD can cause sudden, painless vision loss and be a medical emergency.

Meth use can cause vasoconstriction, which is the narrowing of the blood vessels in the body. This can cause a reduction in blood flow to the retina, leading to ischemia or tissue damage from a lack of oxygen and nutrients. RVOD can occur when a blood clot forms in one of the retinal vessels, causing a blockage that cuts off the blood supply to a portion of the retina.

RVOD can cause sudden, painless vision loss in one eye, usually described as a curtain or shadow blocking part of the visual field. Other symptoms can include distorted vision, loss of color vision, and visual hallucinations. RVOD can also cause retina and optic nerve swelling, which can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam.

While RVOD can be a medical emergency, treatment may be able to restore some vision if detected early. Treatment may include medications to dissolve blood clots, laser therapy to reduce swelling, or surgery to remove the blood clot. However, in some cases, RVOD can cause permanent vision loss.

Long-Term Effects on the Cornea, Retina, & Vision

Methamphetamine (meth) use can cause several long-term effects on the cornea, retina, and vision.

The cornea is the transparent, outermost layer of the eye. Long-term meth use can cause damage to the cornea, leading to a condition called keratoconus, which is a progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea. Keratoconus can cause blurred and distorted vision and progress to the point of requiring corneal transplant surgery.

Meth use can also cause damage to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Chronic meth use can lead to a condition called methamphetamine-associated retinopathy (MAR), which is characterized by damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. MAR can cause decreased visual acuity, loss of color vision, and blind spots in the visual field.

Meth use can also exacerbate pre-existing eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, leading to further vision loss. Chronic meth use can also increase the risk of developing eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts.

Can Meth Use Result in Permanent Damage to Vision & Eye Health?

Yes, methamphetamine (meth) use can permanently damage vision and eye health. Long-term meth use can lead to several eye health problems, including cornea, retina, and optic nerve damage, which can cause irreversible vision loss.

Meth use can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, leading to a condition called methamphetamine-associated retinopathy (MAR). MAR can cause irreversible vision loss, including decreased visual acuity, loss of color vision, and blind spots in the visual field.

Meth use can also damage the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Optic nerve damage can cause permanent vision loss and, in severe cases, can cause blindness.

Additionally, chronic meth use can increase the risk of developing eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts, leading to permanent vision loss if left untreated.