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 posture 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
