A new study has linked the new chemical composition of recreational drugs called "poppers" to retinal damage.
Poppers are reportedly colorless liquids with strong odors that are inhaled for their psychoactive effects, feelings of euphoria, and sexual arousal. Isobutyl nitrite was once the principal ingredient of poppers, which has been replaced by isopropyl nitrite. According to researchers, eye problems have emerged as a less well known side effect since the chemical composition of poppers was changed.
Upon analysis of visual disturbances associated with the use of poppers, researchers found the most frequently reported symptom was impaired central vision, including blurriness, or scotoma, with symptoms starting within hours or days of inhaling poppers.
The study was recently published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
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Source: British Journal of Ophthalmology