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VA Connects Cocaine Use with Glaucoma

As reported in the Eureka Alert, researchers looked at the relationship between using cocaine and developing glaucoma in 5.3 million veterans seen in the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) outpatient clinics over a 12-month period. The information showed using cocaine is "predictive of open-angle glaucoma," which is the form of glaucoma most commonly associated with veterans disability.

Researchers took into account both race and age and discovered people currently using cocaine and those who had previously used increased their risk of glaucoma by 45%. Males diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma also had significant exposures" to both marijuana and amphetamines, but at lower levels than their exposure to cocaine.

Over 90% of the 5.3 million veterans the study looked at were male. Approximately 83,000, or close to 1.5%, had been diagnosed with glaucoma. Over the same 12-month period, 178,000, or around 3.3%, patients sought help in VA outpatient clinics for substance abuse focusing on cocaine.

The age of the patients was also significant in making the connection between the drug and the disease. The average age of those with confirmed open-angle glaucoma as well as a history of abusing illegal drugs was 54 years old. This is 19 years younger than the average age of those patients with glaucoma and no history of drug use.

However, researchers acknowledged the need for further study to solidify the relationship between cocaine use and glaucoma.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.