Hi,
I'm 42 years old and I went to the eye doctor today to get a check up.
 I've always had great vision but, as I get older, I find that when I
read, Ican't see very well so I thought I'd need glasses.
AFter the eye exam, I was told that my right eye was much stronger
than my left. The doc then said that there was nothing physical going
on that would cause this to happen.
He then asked me if I ever abused drugs.  I did abuse drugs - (I'm in
recovery now) but I have a laundry list - coke, booze, pot, inhalants,
uppers, etc..)
He said that heavy drug use could cause problems in the brain that
would compromise my vision.  Is that true?  Can you give me more
details?  I searched the net and couldn't find anything!  He said
there is nothing he can do.

Thanks.

Hi serenity22,

I am a few years older than you, and your eye exam results match my
own, exactly! I have never smoked, done drugs, or had more than half a
dozen alcoholic drinks in my life! We *all* get a little presbyopic
after we reach 40, meaning we lose the ability to focus on small
things, close up! I?m afraid needing reading glasses comes with the
natural aging process. Most folks over the age of 40 start to notice
their arms becoming shorter! Did you ever notice your mom or dad
holding a jar far from their face in order to read the label? When I
was a child, I remember my dad telling me his arms must be getting
shorter!

?These changes don't happen overnight, even if it seems that way. One
day you notice you need to hold a book or magazine farther from your
eyes to see the words clearly, or you mistake an 8 for a 3. When
you're tired or the light is dim, focusing is especially difficult.
And you may get headaches when doing close work.

Presbyopia happens to everybody sooner or later, but people often
notice it at about age 45. Loss of focusing power may be less
noticeable if you're nearsighted to begin with, says Dr. Erie.
"Nearsighted people wear glasses to see in the distance. Without their
glasses, they may see fine up close. So when presbyopia first
develops, they can overcome it simply by taking off their glasses.
Eventually, their natural lens will become too stiff, and they may
need reading glasses like everyone else."
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/HQ/00123.html

?This condition is part of the normal aging process, which causes the
lens to harden. Beginning in their early teens, the human eye
gradually loses the ability to accommodate for and focus on nearby
objects. When people are about 40 years old, their eyes are unable to
focus at normal reading distances without reading glasses. Reduced
illumination interferes with focus depth and accommodation ability.
Hardening of the lens may also result in clouding of the lens
(cataract formation). Aviators with early cataracts may see a standard
eye chart clearly under normal daylight but have difficulty seeing
under bright light conditions. This problem is due to the light
scattering as it enters the eye. This glare sensitivity is disabling
under certain circumstances. Glare disability, related to contrast
sensitivity, is the ability to detect objects against varying shades
of backgrounds. Other visual functions decline with age and affect the
aircrew member?s performance:
·Dynamic acuity. 
·Recovery from glare. 
·Function under low illumination. 
·Information processing.?

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/montecarlo/aeromedical/ch8.htm

Some over the counter, seemingly innocuous drugs can cause temporary
vision problems. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
can cause blurred vision, color loss and impaired vision. Prescription
drugs such as Plaquenil, thiazide diuretics, and oral contraceptives
can cause temporary vision problems too.
http://www.richmondproducts.com/Drugs%20That%20Affect%20Color%20Vision.htm
You can find a fairly complete list of vision-impairing drugs on this site:
http://www.visionworksusa.com/faq-harm.asp

You said ?The doc then said that there was nothing physical going on
that would cause this to happen.? Then he asked about your past drug
use, and suggested it could cause vision loss now. This is rather
contradictory! I found nothing either, to indicate that your past
substance abuse would cause your eyesight problems now. Here is what I
found:

Marijuana 
"A long-term health risk arises from the common method of cannabis
use. Smoking any substance over a long period of time is a bad idea
and frequent inhalation of cannabis smoke can lead to bronchitis or
other chest related disorders and may cause lung cancer."
http://www.recovery.org.uk/druginfo/index.html 


I found no evidence that speed(amphetamines) causes long term vision
problems. You may experience blurred vision while using, but this is a
short term effect, with no lasting effects.
http://www.recovery.org.uk/druginfo/index.html


Alcohol
?Alcohol adversely affects motor ability, muscle function, reaction
time, eyesight, depth perception, and night vision. Since these are
the abilities needed to operate a motor vehicle and since even
moderate amounts of alcohol impair these abilities, drivers should
never? NEVER?drink and drinkers should not drive.? Note that this is
about while drinking alcohol, not after rehab!
 http://www.drug-rehabs.org/faqs/FAQ-alcohol.php
?Alcohol can be a dangerous drug. Drinking too much too often will
cause physical damage, increase the risk of getting some diseases, and
make other diseases worse. Excessive drinking over time is associated
with:
·loss of brain cells, 
·liver failure, 
·irritated stomac lining and bleeding from stomach ulcers, 
·high blood pressure (which can lead to stroke), 
·certain types of cancer, 
·nerve damage, 
·heart failure, 
·epilepsy. 
Excessive drinking has also been linked to:
·vitamin deficiency, 
·obesity, 
·sexual problems, 
·infertility, 
·muscle disease, 
·skin problems, 
·inflammation of the pancreas.?

It would be feasible then, that since alcohol abuse causes loss of
brain cells, that your vision may be affected, but not very probable.
People who drink a lot also often suffer from vitamin deficiency,
which can affect vision, but it sounds like you have this under
control now.
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/mosby_factsheets/alcohol_abuse.html

http://science.howstuffworks.com/alcohol12.htm

None of the usual substances of abuse are implicated in loss of
vision, according to this BBC Health site. Some of the substances do
claim to cause vein damage, and brain cell damage, both of which could
possibly affect your vision, but it is not probable.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/addictions/causes_phy.shtml

This website does warn ?Limit how much alcohol you drink.? And
?Medications that can affect vision include antihistamines,
anticholinergics, digitalis derivatives (temporary), some high blood
pressure pills (guanethidine, reserpine, and thiazide diuretics),
indomethacin, phenothiazines (like Compazine for nausea, Thorazine and
Stelazine for schizophrenia), medications for malaria, ethambutol (for
tuberculosis), and many others?
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003029.htm

?As there is no certain way to predict which alcohol drinkers will
develop serious problems, all alcohol use must be considered as
potentially dangerous.?
 http://www.recovery.org.uk/druginfo/index.html


If you are really concerned, I would make an appointment with an
ophthalmologist, and not an optometrist. An ophthalmologist is a
medical doctor, licensed to diagnose and treat eye diseases and
conditions. An optometrist is licensed to measure your vision only,
although they can screen for conditions like glaucoma, macular
degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Should any thing turn up on the
screening tests, you will be referred to an ophthalmologist for
treatment.

·?Opticians dispense glasses and do not diagnose eye problems. 
·Optometrists perform eye exams and may diagnose eye problems. They
prescribe glasses and contact lenses. In some states they prescribe
eye drops to treat diseases.
·Ophthalmologists are physicians who diagnose and treat diseases that
affect the eyes. These doctors may also provide routine vision care
services, such as prescribing glasses and contact lenses.
·Sometimes an eye problem is part of a general health problem. In
these situations, your primary care provider should also be involved?

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003029.htm
Additional Information:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/eyecare/archive/357.html
http://optometry.berkeley.edu/~library/stats.htm
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/cocaine/
http://careconnection.osu.edu/diseasesandconditions/healthtopics/eyecare/facts/
http://careconnection.osu.edu/diseasesandconditions/healthtopics/eyecare/disorders/

In closing, serenity22, you really should see an ophthomologist if you
still have vision concerns. The eye care person you saw didn?t seem to
treat you in a very professional manner if he was not willing to
discuss further what he meant by past drug abuse affecting your vision
now. It certainly appears that the decline in vision that you are
experiencing is due to becoming a mature woman! While almost all of
the substances you state you used can cause vision problems, they all
seem to be whi e using, and not long term.  I also must remind you
that this answer is not intedned to replace sound medical advice from
a licensed physician. Congratulations too, on your recovery!

If any part of my answer is unclear, please request an Answer
Clarification, before rating. This will enable me to assist you
further, if possible.

Regards,
crabcakes


Visual acuity loss
?Substances of abuse? + vision decline
alcohol loss of vision
alcohol + vision impairment
drugs of abuse long term vision impairment
cocaine + vision impairment

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 07 Jul 2004 23:51 PDT

Hi again, serenity 222,
 
 Now *MY* vision is out of kilter.....I inadvertently left a "2" out
of your screen name! Then, I thought you had said you were a 42 year
old "woman". If you are not a woman, please accept my apologies!

 Sincerely, crabcakes

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 08 Jul 2004 09:11 PDT

Hi serenity222,
  I'm sorry you were unhappy with my answer. I stand by my answer,
however. Almost eveyone reaching their 40's experiences vision
problems, without having used drugs. Having unequal vision, one eye
has better vision that the other, is common as well. You did not
mention head trauma in your question, which definitely may be a
factor. Never the less, it appears you may have more than one cause
for your sight problems, presbyopia, head trauma, and possible drug
use.

  I will research further,however, and post as soon as I can. This
time, I will also research vision problems from head trauma as well.
If you have any furhter questions, please use the "Answer
Clarification" button, and not the "Comment button". When you use the
"Answer Clarification" button, I will be notified that you have left a
response.
  Sincerely,
crabcakes

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 08 Jul 2004 10:53 PDT

Hi serenity222,

 I have asked the editor to remove my question, as it appears you no
longer care for me to research this further.

 By doing so, another researcher may be able to assist you.

 Regards,
crabcakes

Didn't understand the question..

I believe crabcakes misunderstood the question- he wanted to know if
drugs could cause problems in the brain that would hinder vision, not
what other thigns might be causing his problem.  I dug up a few
resources in the meantime:

Dont knwo if you ever did meth but:
"With chronic use, tolerance for methamphetamine can develop. In an
effort to intensify the desired effects, users may take higher doses
of the drug, take it more frequently, or change their method of drug
intake. In some cases, abusers forego food and sleep while indulging
in a form of binging known as a "run," injecting as much as a gram of
the drug every 2 to 3 hours over several days until the user runs out
of the drug or is too disorganized to continue. Chronic abuse can lead
to psychotic behavior, characterized by intense paranoia, visual and
auditory hallucinations, and out-of-control rages that can be coupled
with extremely violent behavior. "
[ http://www.stopaddiction.com/narconon_drugs_methamphetamine.html ]


"More recently, researchers began using PET scans to study the
patterns of brain metabolism related to long-term use of drugs.
Chronic drug abusers - compared with nondrug users of the same age,
gender, and education level - appear to have deficits in the
visual-association cortex area of the brain. "This appears to be a
part of the brain that is involved in decision making. It is involved
particularly in making choices between behavior that is associated
simultaneously with reward and the risk of harm," explains Dr. Edythe
D. London, section chief."
[ http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol10N6/ARCNeuro.html ]

"THC passes rapidly from the bloodstream to the brain and fatty
tissues. Once in the brain, it appears to congregate in the
hippocampus (implicated in learning and memory), the cerebral cortex
(involved in complex thought processes and perception), and the
cerebellar cortex (involved in motor coordination) (e.g. Devane et al.
1988)."
[ http://www3.telus.net/eddyelmer/Artics/marut.htm ]

http://www.geocities.com/Omegaman_UK/drugs.html


All in all, we know that all of the drugs you mentioned have severe
effects on the brain, in particular the cerebral cortices, while they
are being used (which is what creates many of these drugs' effects). 
It is certainly reasonable to think that these areas (including the
visual cortex and the cerebellum, which plays some part in controllnig
eye movements) are effected in the long term.  Whether or not this is
what is actually causing your visual problems, rather than Presbyopia,
I don't know.  But it is certainly a possibility, and hopefully this
answered your question.

Hi,
You are right.  The first researcher did not understand my question. 
I did see an opthamologist...he said that there was no physical reason
why the vision in my left eye should be worse than my right eye. 
That's when he mentioned the drug use.  Or he asked if I ever had any
head trauma.

If I had a brain scan, would I find out if I indeed sustained brain
damage that resulted in vision impairment?  I did use THC and I also
did inhalants.  (deodorant cans, glue).
Can I look anywhere else for additional information?

"I did use THC and I also did inhalants."

Those two drugs do not belong in the same sentence together.

There are native populations in Jamaica and Belize that contain many
old Rasta people who have smoked pot every day for 30 and 40 years. 
Those people are not going blind (and they don't have a predominace of
lung cancer, either).

There is an abundance of government misinformation and propaganda
demonizing and vilifying illegal drugs.  If you look hard enough, you
will find that illegal drugs are said to cause every ailment under the
sun.  Coincidentally, the *legal* drugs, about which I am constantly
implored by television to "ask my doctor," are said to be the cure for
just about every ailment under the sun.

I'm sorry about your vision loss.  Causation is almost impossible to
establish.  Best wishes.

I've found some relevant information searching for "unilateral vision
loss". Apparently there are various conditions and treatments that can
cause this, including the use of legal medications. Good luck.

~ czh ~

I have a ton of information on the effects of drugs online
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer

In short, the sum of the evidence is that you would have to be
consuming most drugs in pretty heroic quantities to cause vision loss.

If you were huffing inhalants, then all bets are off. There is no
telling what you consumed and what effects it might have had. However,
the sum of the evidence would lead me to believe that, unless you were
abusing things pretty badly, your problems are probably more likely
due to age and/or genetic conditions.

Also, one of the references posted above was from Narconon. Narconon
sources should not be trusted as accurate. Narconon was recently
thrown of out the California schools for spreading inaccurate
informaton.

The US Government's research is also suspect. The US Government has
had an official policy of lying about illegal drugs since at least
1925. Ample documentation is available at
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer under Historical Research for
anyone who is interested.