Nystagmus secondary to drug exposure in utero

Visual outcome in infants born to drug-misusing mothers prescribed methadone in pregnancy

“…A cause–effect relationship is also biologically credible: several animal studies have demonstrated a detrimental effect of prenatal methadone exposure on cerebral neurotransmitters and nerve growth factor which could have an adverse effect on early visual processing 26–28. Our findings are also consistent with other published studies in the literature, using different methods, geographic settings and populations 5 6 9. Assuming this causal effect of in utero drug exposure, over 80% of clinical visual abnormalities could be potentially eliminated if infants were not prenatally exposed.…”

Ophthalmic, clinical and visual electrophysiological findings in children born to mothers prescribed substitute methadone in pregnancy

“…There are an estimated 250 000 to 350 000 children of problem drug users in the UK alone,14 who represent a substantial burden to health, social and educational services 2. As with Mulvihill et al ,4 our report was prompted by an awareness of a history of in utero methadone exposure in an increasing number of patients referred because of visual problems.…”

“…A high incidence of strabismus has been associated with prenatal exposure to methadone,4 and nystagmus in children born to drug-addicted mothers is being increasingly recognised 3 4. Delayed visual development has also been reported 3 4…”

The management of heroin misuse in pregnancy: time for a rethink?

“…More recent literature has re-examined the effects of maternal substance misuse upon the developing infant visual system. Observed effects include strabismus, nystagmus and refractive errors as well as delayed visual maturation and cerebral visual impairment, and these may be associated with abnormal visual electrophysiology 37–40. Although study numbers are small, nystagmus appears to be more common in those infants treated for NAS 38.…”