Impairment of contrast sensitivity in long-term lorazepam users.
BACKGROUND
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.


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.
INSERM U666-Department of Psychiatry, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, place de l'Hôpital, 67091, Strasbourg Cedex, France. giersch@alsace.u-strasbg.fr
Anne
A
Giersch
Claude
C
Speeg-Schatz
Monique
M
Tondre
Sylvaine
S
Gottenkiene
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects*; D005099:Exotropia / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008140:Lorazepam