Cocaine users at risk of glaucoma
10 October 2011
Cocaine use may increase a person's risk of developing the eye disease glaucoma, a leading cause of vision loss, by 45 per cent, US research suggests.
A study of the 5.3 million people seen in Department of Veterans Affairs clinics during 2009 found current or past cocaine use was associated with presence of glaucoma (Journal of Glaucoma 2011; 20: 452-57).
Glaucoma also occurred earlier in cocaine users compared to those with no history of drug use (54 versus 73 years).
"The association of illegal drug use with open-angle [chronic] glaucoma requires further study," the authors said.
Last Reviewed: 14 October 2011
- 1. French DD, Margo CE, Harman LE. Substance use disorder and the risk of open-angle glaucoma. J Glaucoma 2011; 20: 452-7. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0b013e3181f7b134. http://journals.lww.com/glaucomajournal/Abstract/2011/09000/Substance_Use_Disorder_and_the_Risk_of_Open_angle.9.aspx (accessed Oct 2011).
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