Summary
This study demonstrates that morphine accumulates in mouse retina following chronic systemic administration, persisting and concentrating at higher levels than in the brain or serum, which has implications for patients on long-term opioid therapy who may experience visual and circadian disruptions. Lighting designers and healthcare providers working with chronic pain patients should be aware that opioid-related retinal changes could impair light-based interventions targeting non-image-forming functions such as circadian entrainment.
Key Findings
- Retinal morphine concentrations (ng/mg tissue) exceeded brain morphine concentrations at all time points tested following systemic administration.
- Following chronic systemic exposure, morphine accumulated selectively in the retina but not in the brain or serum.
- Morphine deposited and persisted in the retina long after serum levels had dropped, suggesting a unique retinal pharmacokinetic profile.
Categories
Eye Health & Vision: Morphine accumulation in the retina may contribute to deleterious effects on visual function, including both image-forming and non-image-forming (circadian) pathways.
The Science of Light: Non-image-forming visual functions, including circadian photoreception via ipRGCs, may be disrupted by chronic opioid use due to retinal morphine accumulation.
Author(s)
N Bergum, CT Berezin, G Dooley, J Vigh
Publication Year
2022
Number of Citations
7
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