Crack Cocaine Eyes: Dilated Pupils From Crack Use

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug with a lot of potential for abuse. It’s a stimulant drug that can be taken through snorting, injecting, or smoking.

The eyes are one of the most noticeable parts of the body affected by crack cocaine use, as both short-term and long-term substance use alter them.

What Do Crack Cocaine Eyes Look Like?

Cocaine pupils, or crack cocaine eyes, typically refer to the dilated pupils that happen after ingesting the drug. The pupils expand rapidly no matter how much light is available nearby.

Chemicals in the brain like adrenaline, dopamine, and endorphins are released by cocaine use, leading to rapid pupil opening.

A common sign that a person is high from crack cocaine is wearing sunglasses in unusual situations, such as at night, due to the light sensitivity caused by pupil dilation.

Depending on how much cocaine a person does, they may also have bloodshot eyes as a result of expanding blood vessels.

People with severe crack cocaine use disorders may also have twitchy or jumpy eyes due to the drug’s effects on the central nervous system.

Effects Of Crack Cocaine On The Eyes

In addition to the short-term visual effects of cocaine, there are several long-term health complications that can arise from repeated use of the drug.

Jaundice

Long-term crack cocaine use can damage organs like the liver, which filters toxins out of the body.

When the liver is damaged, toxic chemicals can begin to build up in the body. This can lead to yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Jaundice is a sign of serious liver functioning issues, so it’s important to seek healthcare right away if these symptoms appear.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common eye condition in older people and is caused by buildups of fluid pressure that can obscure vision. It is one of the top causes of blindness in the country.

People who use cocaine are about 45% more likely to eventually develop glaucoma than people who don’t use stimulant drugs.

Keratitis

People who smoke crack cocaine are at an increased risk of keratitis, which can be caused by vapors irritating and numbing the eye.

Repeated irritation can constrict blood flow in the eyes, leading to blurred vision, corneal ulcers, and optic nerve damage.

Chronic dry eyes also make the cornea, or the surface of the eye, more likely to become scratched, irritated, or scarred by dust and other foreign particles.

Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis is an infection in the inner eye. It’s more commonly associated with injected cocaine use rather than smoked crack cocaine, as it results from sharing or using non-sterile needles.

If left untreated, this condition can lead to partial or full vision loss as well as infection complications elsewhere in the body.

Nystagmus

Also known as rapid eye motion, nystagmus refers to involuntary eye movement or twitching of the eye muscles.

Nystagmus is a permanent condition caused by the deterioration of the muscles and optic nerves in the eyes. It can affect one or both eyes and may lead to side-to-side or circular motions.

Signs Of Crack Cocaine Addiction

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be experiencing crack cocaine addiction, there are a few key symptoms you can watch out for.

Some signs of cocaine use include:

• recurring nosebleeds or runny nose
• dilated pupils
• nausea
• insomnia
• restlessness
• sudden weight loss
• elevated heart rate
• raised body temperature
• anxiety or depression
• high blood pressure

There are also behavioral signs, such as sudden financial difficulties or withdrawing from loved ones to consume drugs.

Long-term cocaine use can lead to serious physical side effects like heart attacks or strokes in addition to mental health issues such as hallucinations, psychosis, or panic attacks.

If you recognize several of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it may indicate a cocaine use disorder. Only a healthcare professional can make a formal diagnosis, but you don’t need a diagnosis to seek help. If cocaine use is causing problems in any area of your life, reaching out to a treatment provider is a worthwhile step.

Get Help For A Substance Use Disorder Today

Treatment for cocaine use disorder typically centers on behavioral therapies, as no FDA-approved medication currently exists specifically for cocaine addiction.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management, which uses structured incentives to reinforce abstinence, are among the most evidence-based approaches. Many people also benefit from residential or intensive outpatient programs, peer support groups, and treatment for any co-occurring mental health conditions.

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

An important safety note: illicitly manufactured fentanyl is increasingly found in cocaine supplies, including crack cocaine. People who use cocaine may unknowingly consume fentanyl, which dramatically increases overdose risk.

If you use cocaine or live with someone who does, keep Naloxone on hand. It’s now available over the counter at most pharmacies without a prescription. You can also use fentanyl test strips to check substances before use.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff