RATIONALE: Oculomotor balance and contrast sensitivity are known to be impaired after an intake of a single dose of lorazepam. To the best of our knowledge, these effects have not been explored in long-term users of lorazepam, despite the potential importance of such deficits in everyday life. OBJECTIVE: We tested the ophthalmological effects and contrast sensitivity for static stimuli in long-term lorazepam users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 15 lorazepam users and 15 sex-, age- and education level-matched control subjects tested, using a simple blind procedure. RESULTS: The ophthalmological effects were scarce, with a discrete exophoria. Visual acuity was preserved. Contrast sensitivity, however, was more markedly impaired, consistent with the effects of an acute dose of lorazepam. The effects were not correlated with anxiety or sedation. CONCLUSIONS: The results are discussed in terms of their possible impact on everyday life. As visual acuity does not allow the detection of the impairments that are observed in the present study, it is suggested that a more systematic exploration of contrast sensitivity be carried out in long-term users of benzodiazepines.
RATIONALE: Oculomotor balance and contrast sensitivity are known to be impaired after an intake of a single dose of lorazepam. To the best of our knowledge, these effects have not been explored in long-term users of lorazepam, despite the potential importance of such deficits in everyday life. OBJECTIVE: We tested the ophthalmological effects and contrast sensitivity for static stimuli in long-term lorazepam users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 15 lorazepam users and 15 sex-, age- and education level-matched control subjects tested, using a simple blind procedure. RESULTS: The ophthalmological effects were scarce, with a discrete exophoria. Visual acuity was preserved. Contrast sensitivity, however, was more markedly impaired, consistent with the effects of an acute dose of lorazepam. The effects were not correlated with anxiety or sedation. CONCLUSIONS: The results are discussed in terms of their possible impact on everyday life. As visual acuity does not allow the detection of the impairments that are observed in the present study, it is suggested that a more systematic exploration of contrast sensitivity be carried out in long-term users of benzodiazepines.
Authors: F Legrand; P Vidailhet; J M Danion; D Grangé; A Giersch; M Van der Linden; J L Imbs Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 1995-04 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: Carly J Leonard; Benjamin M Robinson; Britta Hahn; James M Gold; Steven J Luck Journal: Neuropsychologia Date: 2014-02-18 Impact factor: 3.139
Authors: Bettina Hohberger; Robert Laemmer; Werner Adler; Anselm G M Juenemann; Folkert K Horn Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol Date: 2007-08-11 Impact factor: 3.117