Crack eye
“Crack eye” refers to corneal injury associated with the use of crack cocaine. The smoke emanating form crack cocaine may be directly damaging to the corneal epithelium that may be enhanced by the anesthetic properties of cocaine that can result in a decreased blink rate. The cited reference points out “devitalization of the corneal nerves decreases the corneal epithelial integrity, leading to neurotrophic keratopathy”. In addition, cocaine smoke can be very irritating and thus users may repeatedly rub their eyes causing infectious complications often due to Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcal species. Fungal infections have been implicated in some cases Ref: Miller AD and Sherman SC. Crack eye. 2009 J Emerg Med, 37(1):75–76 courtesy of AACT