The effect of long-term use of benzodiazepines on the eye and retina

Thirty patients on long-term benzodiazepine medication were subjected to fu ll ophthalmoscopic examination. Of these 19 (63.3%) complained of symptoms of irritation, blurred vision or difficulty in reading. None, however, had reduced visual acuities apart from two where the cause was longstanding amb lyopia. Thirteen patients had some form of retinal finding, 9 macular and 4 non-macular. Of the 14 who presented for flash and pattern electroretinogr aphy (ERG), none showed any abnormality which could be ascribed to the medi cation, its total dose, or duration. We conclude, on the basis of the evide nce from this small cohort, that long-term benzodiazepine medication has li ttle effect upon retinal function as signalled by the ERG.