Ocular manifestations of injection drug use
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Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Ocular Therapeutic Delivery and Advanced Tissue Retrieval in Adult Rats
Published on: May 23, 2025
Rubin W Kim1, Mark S Juzych, Dean Eliott
1Kresge Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4717 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Abstract:
Injection drug use can result in a variety of severe ocular conditions. Hematogenous dissemination of various fungi and bacteria may produce endophthalmitis with resultant severe visual loss. Retinal arterial occlusive disease may result from talc and other particulate emboli. Most commonly, life-threatening systemic diseases such as endocarditis and HIV infection secondarily affect the eye. Because many of these conditions may result in blindness if untreated, accurate diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy are essential.
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