Macula and optic disk features in methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine addicts using optical coherence...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Toxicology

Background:

• Methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine abuse are significant public health concerns.
• Ocular health complications associated with substance abuse are increasingly recognized.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a valuable tool for in-vivo retinal imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), macular, and optic disk characteristics between methamphetamine/crystal methamphetamine abusers and healthy controls.
• To investigate the impact of chronic methamphetamine use on ocular structures using Fourier-domain OCT.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 41 methamphetamine/crystal methamphetamine abusers (≥5 years smoking history) and 42 healthy controls.
• Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) was employed to assess RNFL thickness, macular thickness, and optic disk parameters.
• Statistical analysis compared measurements between the drug abuser group and the control group.

Main Results:

• Significantly reduced RNFL thickness in the superior and temporal quadrants of drug abusers compared to controls (P=0.008, P=0.028).
• Statistically significant reductions in perifoveal and superior parafoveal macular thickness in abusers (P<0.001, P=0.029).
• No significant differences were observed in optic disk ratio, rim area, or disk area between groups (P>0.05).

Conclusions:

• FD-OCT measurements indicate significant differences in RNFL and macular thickness in methamphetamine abusers.
• Chronic methamphetamine abuse appears to induce alterations in retinal morphology.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering ocular changes in the clinical management of substance abusers.