Purpose: Methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine abusers were compared with healthy subjects using optical coherence tomography to assess their retinal nerve fiber layer, macula, and optic disk characteristics.
Methods: Forty-one methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine abusers and 42 healthy subjects (mean ± SD of age: 35.82 ± 8.6 and 37.76 ± 9.1 years, respectively) were incorporated in this cross-sectional study. The drug abusers had a history of at least five years of substance use through smoking. Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography was used to image and assess the characteristics of retinal nerve fiber layer, macular thickness, and optic disk in the study groups.
Results: The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was significantly lower in the superior and temporal retinal quadrants of drug abusers than healthy subjects (P = 0.008 and P = 0.028, respectively). This study did not find a significant difference between drug abusers and healthy controls regarding optic to disk ratio, rim area, and disk area (P > 0.05). The comparison between the study groups showed that the reductions in perifovea and the superior quadrant of parafoveal thickness were statistically significant (P < 0.001 and P = 0.029, respectively).
Conclusion: Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography measurements showed that the retinal nerve fiber layer and macular thickness were different between methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine abusers and healthy subjects, which should be considered in clinical practice. It seems that these drug abuses can cause alterations in retinal morphology.
Keywords: Crystal methamphetamine; Methamphetamine; Optic nerve head; Optical coherence tomography; Retinal nerve fiber layer.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.