How To Recognise Blurred Vision As An Addiction Symptom

Addiction alters the way our bodies and brains work. When we think about substances, we might think about the temporary effects they have on our eyes – how our pupils may dilate, the whites of our eyes may become sore, red, or bloodshot. We might temporarily experience double vision. But what we perhaps do not think about as much is how our eyes can be affected in the long-term, and how blurred vision can negatively impact quality of life.

Why is blurred vision linked to addiction?

Like all other organs in our bodies, our eyes are supplied with blood. When we use drugs, the substances enter our bloodstream. Traces of drugs – or drug metabolites – can then be carried to different parts of our bodies.This can then cause damage to specific functions. Over time, this risks a range of ocular health issues, such as:

• Abnormal eye pressure
• Changes in blood flow
• Infections
• Reduced pupil diameter
• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Myokymia (eyelid twitching)

One research team concluded that substance use particularly affects photopic vision. A reduction in photopic vision can lead to difficulties with colour perception and seeing in low light.

Substances linked with blurred vision

Many different substances can impact the way that we see. However, there are specific substances that are linked with blurred or double vision. These are:

• Alcohol
• Opioids
• Stimulants

Alcohol can ‘impair the vision or orientation to visuospatial stimuli due to various mechanisms.’Key issues such as slower reactions in the pupils and diplopia (double vision) can lead your sight to appear blurry.

Opioids (such as heroin) can also particularly affect eyesight. Like alcohol, opioids reduce the diameter of pupils and can lead to an embolism in the retina. This can lead to ‘binocular diplopia’, which causes an intense double vision effect.

Commonly abused stimulants include caffeine, nicotine and cocaine. Nicotine can increase the risk of cataract formation and inflammation on the eye’s surface. Cocaine can cause a retraction of the upper eyelid and lesions on the surface of the eye. This can cause a reduction in vision, leading, in some cases, to double vision. Prescription stimulants such as amphetamines can also cause pupil changes and glaucoma, which can impact our ability to see one clear image at a time.

What causes blurred vision?

Each drug impacts vision in different ways – but how is this possible? There are three key areas that can lead to double vision, and these are:

• Changes in the Central Nervous System
• Changes in Cognitive Function
• Changes in Visual Processing

In short, drugs impact the way that our brains send and receive messages. This means that the messages sent between the eye and the brain can become confused, leading to a non-clear image being perceived.

Substances also affect our cognitive functioning – the way that we process information. Specific areas of the brain can be damaged over time due to chronic drug use. This includes the occipital lobe in the cerebral cortex. Studies show a reduction in cerebral matter with excessive drug use, which can lead to a reduction in sight and the development of double vision.

Lastly, the eye itself can be damaged during drug use. This can be due to route of administration, soreness, exposure to smoke or injury. This can change the way that the eye processes information over a longer term.

Blurred vision as one aspect of addiction

Blurred vision is one of a constellation of addiction symptoms. If someone you know is experiencing blurred vision, you cannot immediately assume they are dealing with an addiction. Before making assumptions, remember to look out for other addiction symptoms (such as mood swings, behaviour changes, social withdrawal and general physical ill health). It is important to ascertain if deterioration in our eye health is due to substance use or if drugs and alcohol have exacerbated an underlying condition. This can be achieved through a thorough medical assessment where a clinician can determine if any of the following underlying conditions are present:

• Vitamin deficiencies
• Eye dryness
• Dehydration
• Ocular conditions

How does blurred vision affect daily life?

Difficulties with sight can decrease the quality of life and, therefore, exacerbate the difficulties of addiction recovery. Struggling to see the impacts on our everyday lives makes daily tasks such as reading, driving, working, or socialising difficult. This can lead to isolation, which can, in turn, lead individuals to seek solace with substances.

Accessing addiction treatment

An important part of addiction intervention is taking a holistic approach and beginning to address any physical health issues that may be present. Having a thorough medical assessment can allow you to tackle the effects of addiction in whatever shape. This comprehensive approach to addiction treatment can help you to manage symptoms effectively whilst also restoring your ability to visually engage with the world around you.

If you’re prepared to discover the ideal addiction treatment centre tailored to your needs, reach out to us today and let us lead you through the process.