Cocaine Eyes: Detecting Coke Use in the Eyes

Recognize the Signs of Cocaine Eyes and Get Compassionate Help at Purpose Healing

Increased Blood Pressure and Bloodshot Eyes

While not always the best indicator of drug abuse, it’s worth noting that doing cocaine will lead to more bloodshot eyes as well. Cocaine causes the blood vessels to constrict throughout the body, but most notably in the eyes. With the blood vessels narrowed, it leads to an increase in blood pressure.

The result is that your eyes look very red and can be a bit watery in the aftermath of smoking cocaine.

It’s also worth noting that this problem can be worsened if you get cocaine in your eyes. You could have some traces of the substance still on your fingers because the fine powder is hard to get off. If you then rub your eyes, it could impact the appearance of your eyes.

This problem may not be uncomfortable for you at first, but it could lead to other long-term issues if you continue with substance abuse.

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How Does Cocaine Affect Long-Term Vision?

Long-term cocaine use has negative consequences for your eyes. If you notice signs, symptoms, and clues that your cocaine use is leading to vision loss, it’s important to seek help for your substance use.

Keep reading to learn more about how chronic cocaine use leads to vision loss.

Corneal Ulcers: Prominent Effects of Cocaine

The first and most common long-term issue of your cocaine use has nothing to do with your dilated pupils. Instead, the injury that you should be most worried about is the development of ulcers in the cornea. These can be caused by two different issues in cocaine users.

The first occurs if you have been snorting cocaine. Your drug use could cause the powder to move through the tear ducts. The second issue is if you have cocaine on your hands and then touch your eyes. They might feel dry and itchy, leading you to rub them and worsen the issue.

The result is continuously red and bloodshot eyes, even if you don’t have cocaine in your system. Over time, they can lead to ulcers.

Cycloplegia and Blurred Vision

Cocaine eyes can also lead to permanent blurred vision, especially if you engage in frequent cocaine use. It can damage and paralyze the ciliary muscle of the eye. The impact on vision is serious and should serve as a warning sign to get cocaine use under control.

This condition is best known as cycloplegia.

While it may not affect all vision all the time, it does come with blurriness for objects that are very close to you and those that are somewhat far away. Medium-range vision may not be as affected by this.

Bulging Eyes: Easy to Spot Cocaine Abuse

One of the more prominent symptoms of cocaine use is the development of bulging eyes. While this is often a symptom of autoimmune disorders related to the thyroid, it can also surface in someone who struggles with cocaine addiction. It’s a clear symptom of cocaine eyes.

Over time, cocaine use causes the eyes to protrude from the eye socket. The issue is that this bulge can press down on your optic nerve and do real damage to the eye. It could lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly and if a person continues to abuse cocaine.

What to Do If You Notice Cocaine Eyes Signs

Long-term cocaine users who start to notice some of these signs of cocaine eyes should find a way to put a stop to their drug use.

Purpose Healing Center can help you enroll in a program that is best-suited to your unique needs. Health risks like these don’t have to cause permanent damage.

We can help you with access to a variety of care options and access to around-the-clock help from a team of experienced clinicians. You can choose whatever level of care best suits you, from inpatient to intensive outpatient programs.

Behavioral Therapy, Holistic Care, and More

When you’re ready to get professional treatment for a substance use disorder, you need to look at the bigger picture. It isn’t just about clearing your high blood pressure or regaining your vision. It should also be about all of the other symptoms that you’ll face. This is why behavioral therapy is crucial.

At Purpose Healing Center, we’ll walk you through a customized treatment plan and teach you new coping skills in cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy. Clinicians will assess you to see which services and approaches would benefit you most while you’re with us.

We also take care of you holistically with opportunities to participate in yoga, art therapy, and more. Plus, you’ll have access to peer support in recovery meetings and group therapy sessions.

Access to Around-the-Clock Care

One reason to enroll in our residential treatment center is that you can gain access to 24/7 care from a team of medical professionals. They can address any concerns you may have, day or night. This also makes it impossible for you to return to illicit drugs because you simply won’t have an opportunity.

Our facility offers accredited care so that you can make sure you receive top-notch treatment options. We aim to make you safe and comfortable while helping you to combat the nagging voice in the back of your mind that says you need more cocaine to cope with a difficult situation.