What Cocaine Does to Your Eyes?

Cocaine Effects on the Eyes

In addition to pupil enlargement and sensitivity to light, the vapors from smoking crack can also irritate the eyes, causing redness. The movement of cocaine users’ eyes may also seem irregular or unfocused until the side effects of the drug wear off. Below are some other common effects of cocaine on the eyes. 

Jaundice

Jaundice refers to the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It’s a common indicator that someone has a liver or kidney problem. Cocaine abuse can damage the liver, which can eventually lead to symptoms like jaundice. However, long-term coke addiction can cause permanent liver damage or failure. Therefore, it’s crucial to seek cocaine detox and treatment immediately. 

Nystagmus

Cocaine eye problems that may occur as a result of long-term use also include nystagmus. Also known as rapid eye motion, nystagmus causes a permanent shift in eye movement and usually indicates brain damage. Coke produces this disorder by breaking down muscles, nerves, and brain tissue associated with eye movement or the visual system in the brain. This is why some coke users may seem as if their eyes jump from one thing to another or don’t focus. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. Optic nerve health is crucial for good eyesight. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States and is also a common side effect of cocaine abuse. Cocaine causes glaucoma by affecting blood pressure, altering the pressure of fluid within the eye. When fluid pressure increases over time, the result is usually glaucoma. 

Keratitis

When you smoke cocaine, the vapors and fumes can numb your eyes, suppressing your ability to blink, thus leaving your eyes exposed and dried out. In the long run, cocaine users may experience eye problems such as keratitis, or an inflammation of the cornea, because the eyes are frequently exposed to the elements. Blinking protects our eyes from foreign particles and vapors, but when this reflex is suppressed, these things can scratch the surface of the eye or kill cells, leading to ulcers, scarring, and permanent blurred vision. 

Talc Retinopathy 

Drug dealers often make cocaine with cutting agents or additional substances to make it weigh more so they can sell less product for more money. A common cocaine cutting agent is talcum powder, which contributes largely to what cocaine does to your eyes. Snorting or smoking talcum powder can lead to talc retinopathy, which is a buildup of yellow/white crystal deposits in the retina. In serious cases, these blockages can even cause blindness. 

Endophthalmitis

Did you know that you can even get an eye infection from coke? Endophthalmitis is an eye infection that occurs from using dirty needles, which is common among cocaine users who inject themselves. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the rest of the body, causing a variety of side effects.

Ocular Bone Damage

Ocular done damage refers to perforations (holes or deterioration) to the septum and other nasal passages. This is a common side effect in people who snort cocaine, which is why they may have thin or collapsed noses. Continued cocaine use can damage other connected tissue and small bone structures, including the bones around the eyes (ocular bones). 

Retinal Vascular Occlusive Disease (ROVD)

ROVD is the most common disease linked to blindness. It can be caused by long-term cocaine use as a result of the drug’s ability to change blood pressure. Specifically, ROVD is the result of blocked circulation that can lead to swelling and bleeding within the retina, causing abnormalities in retina blood vessels and resulting in partial or complete loss of vision. 

Maculopathy

Maculopathy refers to any pathological condition or disease in the macula, which is the small spot in the retina where your vision is the sharpest. Maculopathy or macular degeneration is characterized by a gradual loss of central vision, causing you to see a gray or dark spot in the middle of your vision. While this doesn’t lead to complete blindness, it can be frustrating. 

Cocaine eye effects and their impact on other areas of the body vary from person to person, depending on how much of it they use and how often they use it. What cocaine does to your eyes is only one of the many risks of abusing this drug long-term. From liver failure to heart disease to overdose, there’s no telling how severely this drug can impact you. Unfortunately, because coke is so addictive, it can be difficult for people who are addicted to quit. But there’s hope.