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It’s the middle of the night, and your phone wakes you from a deep sleep. Groggily, you reach for your phone, assuming it’s a wrong number. Instead, you hear your best friend’s voice on the other end, trembling and fearful. “I’m at the hospital. They’re saying something about cocaine eyes.”
Your mind races with worry and confusion. Your heart feels like it’s about to jump out of your chest. What does “cocaine eyes” mean, and just how serious is the situation? You soon learn that cocaine eyes is a term that refers to the temporary effects of cocaine use on the eyes. You can’t help but wonder if there will be long-term effects on her vision.
On the way to the hospital, your mind wanders to some of the strange health symptoms your friend mentioned recently. Could they be signs of cocaine use? Does this middle-of-the-night crisis hint at a substance use disorder?
Living in Oregon, you’re well aware of the skyrocketing overdose rates. In the past year alone, 1,161 people died from drug overdoses -- almost twice as many as in 2019. Could your friend be putting herself at risk of a cocaine overdose? You question whether you would recognize a substance use disorder in your best friend and wonder if there is a loving way to talk to her about it.
At Serenity Lane in Oregon, we can help you with those tough questions related to alcohol or substance use. As the oldest non-profit program in the state, our mission is to change lives by providing high-quality treatment for addiction.
Keep reading to learn more about cocaine eyes, symptoms of cocaine use, and how to tell if you have a cocaine use disorder.
“Cocaine Eyes” are one of many symptoms, or indicators, of cocaine use. The term refers to noticeable eye changes resulting from the consumption of cocaine. Recognizing signs of cocaine use can be helpful in understanding when a loved one needs help. Keep in mind that these signs, on their own, aren’t a definitive indicator of cocaine use. They can, however, be a piece of the puzzle that helps you identify cocaine use.
How long do coke eyes last? Cocaine eyes typically begin shortly after use and may continue for up to six hours afterward.
Cocaine eyes may include one or all of the following symptoms:
Does everyone get cocaine eyes after using? No, not everyone gets cocaine eyes after using. Symptoms vary according to dosage, drug purity, polydrug use, genetics, and the person’s overall health.
Short-term cocaine use can cause cocaine eyes, which enlarges the pupils. This happens because cocaine stops a substance called norepinephrine from being taken back up in the brain the way it normally would. This leads to more norepinephrine being active and causing the pupils to enlarge. Enlarged pupils are responsible for the additional short-term side effect of light sensitivity.
Cocaine eyes (dilated and light-sensitive) are temporary. However, with continued use, the blood vessels in the eye can become damaged, leading to more serious issues.
Eye damage may result from continued cocaine use because the drug interferes with blood flow to the body. Over time, if eyes don’t get enough blood flow, they can become damaged. This can lead to vision problems, tissue damage, and other eye complications.
Habitual cocaine use can cause eye problems such as cycloplegia and corneal ulcers (tissue damage). In rare cases, cocaine can also lead to uncontrollable eye movements or bulging eyeballs.
Cycloplegia: When used in high concentrations, cocaine can cause cycloplegia, a paralysis of the eye’s ciliary muscle.
Bulging eyeballs: Exophthalmos can occur with chronic cocaine use. Bulging or protruding eyeballs are not a direct effect of the drug but something that can occur as a result of its side effects. For example, when cocaine is contaminated, it can affect eye vessels and lead to symptoms resembling exophthalmos. Sinusitis or Orbital Cellulitis resulting from chronic cocaine use can sometimes spread to the eye socket and cause the eye to protrude. Left untreated, exophthalmos can permanently affect the eyesight.
Corneal ulcers: Contamination of the eye through eye rubbing or dabbing your eyes after handling cocaine can lead to superficial punctate keratitis, epithelial defects, and corneal ulcers (tissue damage). Sniffing cocaine can sometimes produce the same effect.
Nystagmus: Uncontrollable repetitive eye movements that cause blurry or shaky vision can result from extreme cases of long-term cocaine use.
Cocaine, a potent stimulant that affects the central nervous system, is derived from coca plants native to South America. Its euphoric effects have been known for thousands of years. Prior to the adoption of cocaine laws here in the U.S., it was used as an ingredient in products such as soda (including “Coca” cola brand), cigarettes, and imported wines.
Cocaine impacts the eyes because it interferes with chemicals in the brain, which causes dilation and light sensitivity. It also disrupts vital blood flow, which can cause eye damage to habitual users.
Cocaine users experience a wide array of short and long-term symptoms. Side effects of use include Symptoms of cocaine use include physical, behavioral, and psychological side effects.
Distinctive symptoms and side effects of cocaine use:
Physical effects of cocaine use:
Behavioral and psychological effects of cocaine use:
Signs and symptoms of substance use disorder (SUD) include:
If you or a loved one are managing an SUD, getting treatment can help make recovery a healthy and life-changing experience.
While the physical withdrawals from cocaine use aren’t as severe as some other substances, the short-term psychological aspects are a challenge. When you use cocaine regularly, your body and mind adjust and begin to rely on it to feel “normal.” This stabilizes over time as you move into recovery. However, recovery from cocaine use disorder may be accompanied by depression or, in some cases, suicidal thoughts.
At Serenity Lane in Oregon, we provide many options for helping people recover from substance use disorders. Some of our treatments include cognitive, behavioral, and group therapy in inpatient or outpatient settings. To learn more about getting treatment for cocaine use disorder, call us today at. (800) 543-9905. Our caring and compassionate staff will help customize a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle.
Is Detox Needed for Cocaine Use Disorder?
While detox from cocaine may not involve the intense physical withdrawal symptoms seen with other drugs, it’s still challenging. While there is technically no detox program for cocaine use disorder, withdrawing from cocaine should be done under medical supervision. Physicians can help patients manage withdrawal while teaching them healthy coping strategies that will guide them toward lifelong recovery.
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