Long-term Management of Severe Ocular Surface Injury Due to Methamphetamine Production Accidents

Abstract

Methamphetamine-related accidents can lead to severe bilateral ocular injuries. Although stem cell transplantation procedure success is guarded in most of these patients because of severe conjunctival inflammation and accompanying ocular comorbidities, as well as personality issues, compliant patients can achieve good visual function with ocular surface transplantation and subsequent keratoplasty.

Methamphetamine-Induced Keratitis Case Series

“…Inhalation itself, as in the cases of both of our patients, could cause a chemical burn to the corneal surface and has been reported in cases of meth-related burns during the drug's production. 7 In addition, mental effects of the meth use such as increased awareness and irritability can result in excessive scratching of the eyelids and ocular surface.…”

Autologous Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation: The Progression of Diagnosis and Treatment

“…No form of medical/pharmacologic Chemical burns 11 Thermal burns 11 Methamphetamine production-related injury 63 …”

Vision health perspectives on Breaking Bad: Ophthalmic sequelae of methamphetamine use disorder

“…In addition to consumption-related smoking or thermal injury, production-related causes of ocular involvement include direct injury, exposure to caustic chemicals during production, or exposure to toxic impurities used to dilute the methamphetamine ( Heer et al, 2020 ). This is especially relevant amidst the rise of illicit methamphetamine production, which uses low-cost ingredients, some of which are dangerous and caustic ( Movahedan et al, 2015 ). A “shake and bake” methamphetamine lab explosion resulted in combined thermal and alkali ocular injury ( Chan et al, 2011 ).…”

“…Three individuals suffered ocular injuries after using a technique involving combination of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, sodium or lithium, and anhydrous ammonia ( Lee et al, 2003 ). Ocular complications resulting from an explosion accident include ocular surface failure, symblepharon, ankyloblepharon, and foreshortening of fornices ( Movahedan et al, 2015 ). Nearby individuals such as children and first responders have also been reported to suffer from injury ( Watanabe-Galloway et al, 2009 ; Melnikova et al, 2011 ).…”