Evaluate the Effects of Long-term Use of Psychotropic Medications on Eye Movement Patterns With the Gaize Device

The use of psychotropic (psychiatric) medications for various psychiatric disorders is a common practice. Long-term use of such medications necessitates monitoring due to potential side effects, including ophthalmic issues (1). The Gaize VR headset represents a novel approach to monitoring these effects by utilizing Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) testing methods to detect eye movements associated with substance use. Psychotropic medications have been associated with a range of visual and oculomotor side effects, which can impact patient safety and quality of life (2). The prevalence of these effects in long-term users is not fully characterized in the literature, and traditional methods of assessment may miss subclinical alterations in eye movement or function. Eye movement patterns are altered predictably by the use of various substances, such as cannabis, alcohol, and other psychoactive drugs. DRE protocols utilize oculomotor tests to infer recent drug use (3). These protocols are, however, often subjective and require trained personnel to administer, leading to potential variability in assessment and risk of false positives. Advances in virtual reality technology have allowed for more precise and controlled assessment of eye movements. VR headsets can isolate and measure specific eye movement parameters, potentially providing a more accurate and objective measure of oculomotor function and impairment.