Bilateral vascular occlusions of the anterior visual pathway and cocaine abuse

Abstract

Purpose: Describe bilateral vision loss from ischemic injury of the anterior visual pathway due to recreational cocaine.

Methods: Case report.

Patient: A 33-year-old man presented to the emergency room with headache associated with multiple cerebral hemispheric lesions on computed tomogram.

Results: During hospital admission, he lost vision from a right central retinal artery occlusion and an ischemic event to the left optic nerve head. Extensive diagnostic evaluation was unrewarding. The patient admitted to persistent cocaine abuse after his 2-month hospitalization.

Conclusion: The diagnosis of cocaine-related vascular occlusion to the anterior visual pathway may not be considered because physicians are unaware of these ocular side effects.