title: Ocular manifestations of injection drug use.
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.
authors.affiliation: Kresge Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4717 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Rubin W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Juzych
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eliott
mesh_terms: D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005658:Fungi / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*