Carbon Monoxide Poisoning


Ophthamologic/Optometric (eye) Damage/Changes:

  • Nystagmus (involuntary rapid movement of eyeball)

  • Saccade (perceived motion in periphery of visual field)

  • Accommodation changes

  • Blurry vision

  • Diplopia (double-vision)

  • Seeing spots "floating in the visual field"

  • Visual scanning problems

  • Photophobia

  • Myopia

  • Eye fatigue


  • Retinal hemorrhages (usually flame-shaped)

  • Decreased light sensitivity

  • Decreased visual acuity

  • Cortical blindness

  • Retrobulbar neuritis

  • Papilledema

  • Pancentral scotomata

  • Loss of peripheral vision


  • Others


    Note: - The first group may be seen with CO dosages of all magnitudes, whereas the second group is usually seen only after acute, high-level, CO poisoning.


    for Related Effects

    for Acute, Low-Level CO Visual Effects


    see Glossary


    ...... last changed 07/22/02


    Back to COHQ Main Index