Alcohol and Eye Health: The Effect of Alcohol on Vision
Cataracts are relatively more common in heavy drinkers than in moderate or non-drinkers. Alcohol is a nervous system depressant that affects the functioning of organs, including the eyes. When consuming alcohol in moderation, the body can metabolize it and excrete it through the liver and kidneys. In contrast, when consumption is excessive, that often leads to a buildup of toxins causing alcohol eyesight damage and eye problems. Oftentimes even small amounts of liquor or spirits could cause puffy and bloodshot ‘alcohol eyes’. Heavy drinking also significantly increases your risk of heart and liver problems.
Many pathophysiological aspects of the deteriorating effects of alcohol consumption on ocular structures have been demonstrated, however, additional well-designed studies are required for a definite conclusion. Among them, alcohol teratogenicity and alcohol-related optic neuropathies are more definite and seem to be the most serious ocular conditions related to alcohol consumption [Table 3]. In addition to weakening the muscles and damaging the optic nerve, frequent alcohol use contributes to inflammation within the bundle of nerves that make up the optic nerve.
Understanding the long-term eye health effects of alcohol
This constant swelling and inflammation often results in double vision and blurred eyesight and contributes to vision loss. The person who engages in excessive alcohol consumption may develop dry eyes since their body can’t replenish water quick enough to keep them lubricated. The best thing you can do to alleviate eye-related symptoms caused by alcohol consumption is to cut back on drinking or eliminate alcohol altogether. Light to moderate alcohol consumption should not have a lasting impact on your vision. However, in the short-term, even one drink can have negative effects on the eyes (e.g., dry eyes).
Types of ALD include alcohol-related cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis and alcohol-related steatohepatitis. Alcohol may also affect your eyesight in the long term, going beyond temporary symptoms to influencing your likelihood to develop serious eye conditions. One study found that having a 0.08% blood alcohol level (the legal limit for driving in most states) can affect various types of eye movements in healthy young adults. The presence of a specific type of nystagmus (rhythmic involuntary eye movements) can actually help police decide whether to arrest a driver for drinking and driving.
What Can You Do for Alcoholic Eyes?
As mentioned, the condition is referred to as toxic amblyopia, and it can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness. If your liver is impaired and has difficulty absorbing vitamins, this may lead to a vitamin deficiency that can make it difficult to maintain healthy eyesight. If the optic nerve becomes damaged, it can cause your eyes to be unable to send messages to the brain. The consumption of alcohol may cause the blood vessels in your eyes to swell. This can further contribute to the strain on your eyes if you’re already experiencing dryness.
Not only can alcohol cause you to be dehydrated, which strains your eyes, but alcohol can also slow down your eyes’ natural reflexes. From there, alcohol can cause the blood vessels in your eyes to swell, which leads to bloodshot eyes. Moreover, bloodshot eyes can be a sign of more serious complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and addiction. If you’re afraid you’re addicted to alcohol, and are experiencing eyesight problems or any other physical signs of alcoholism, then it’s essential that you get the help you need and deserve to beat this disorder. Alcohol addiction is a disease, and with the right treatment, you can recover from it. Alcohol may still be one of the top substances of use in the nation, but rehab centers are making strides in helping people overcome alcohol addiction.
Long-term effects of alcohol on the eyes
According to many health care and eye care professionals, men who drink 3 alcoholic beverages a day and women who drink 2 are already at risk for long-term effects. Drinking alcohol regularly can also cause dry eye symptoms and involuntary twitching of the eyelid, known as myokymia. You may also experience inflammation of the eye and double vision that causes burning and itching of the eyes, migraines, and extreme light sensitivity. Alcohol can have many detrimental effects on the body as a whole – even apart from contributing to vision loss. Cutting back on your alcohol intake is a good way to start being healthier and protect your eyesight. Here are some tips in to minimize your alcohol consumption and help prevent eyesight problems.
American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. The AMF states that it may be blurry vision after drinking alcohol OK to drink a small drink (about 5 ounces) occasionally if doing so doesn’t trigger a migraine. Alcohol can trigger an immediate migraine in some people or cause a “hangover migraine” later, according to the American Migraine Foundation.