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That is because it can disrupt the body’s normal fluid balance and interfere with quality sleep. Which easily exacerbates the appearance of puffiness and undereye dark circles. Having dry skin around the eyes after drinking is also common as a result of dehydration. Since alcohol is a diuretic, it contributes to dehydration, which directly affects tear production.
A lazy eye can stem from excessive drinking, which increases your risk of vision loss and/or permanent damage. Even moderate alcohol consumption can begin to interfere with the way your body absorbs key nutrients, many of which are vital for your eyes. It irritates the digestive tract and can impair the function of the stomach and small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed.
Tackling alcohol abuse isn’t just about stopping the drinking; it’s about understanding why the drinking started in the first place. Digging into the root causes of alcohol abuse is essential for effective and lasting recovery. For many, these issues are deeply intertwined with personal experiences, trauma, or stressors that may not be obvious at first glance. Protecting your health, including your eyesight, starts with taking action. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol dependence, The Ohana offers the support and guidance needed to achieve lasting recovery. Contact us today to learn more about our personalized treatment programs and take the first step toward a healthier future.
Macular Degeneration
When we focus on the specific impact on our eyes, it’s essential to understand that our eyes rely heavily on these neurotransmitter signals for proper function. Eye muscles need to coordinate accurately to focus on objects at different distances, and pupils need to adjust size rapidly in response to changes in light levels. Alcohol, as a central nervous system depressant, slows down the communication speed of these neurotransmitters.
Alcoholic Eyes: Drinking Alcohol & Your Eyesight
When consumed in large amounts over an extended period of time, alcohol can change the health of your eyes by weakening the muscles and deteriorating parts of your brain that control sight. A number of studies link increased risk of cataracts to high levels of alcohol consumption compared to those who either don’t drink or drink only in moderation. For some people who develop AMD, their disease (and vision loss) develops very slowly.
Can Alcohol Cause Blindness?
This delayed response means the eyes cannot quickly adapt to varying light conditions, such as oncoming headlights, increasing sensitivity to glare or difficulty seeing in low light. We think of our patients as family and have been leaders in eye care since 1981. Our modern advanced technology and friendly and supportive staff have led to our being one of the premier eye care and centers for surgery on the western coast of Florida.
In this article, we will discuss how alcohol intake can impact our eyes and vision, so that you can make informed decisions about your drinking habits. The eyes work harder to compensate for their reduced efficiency, leading to strain. If you find yourself squinting or closing your eyes frequently due to discomfort, it’s a sign that alcohol is affecting your ocular health. Managing your alcohol intake can help alleviate these symptoms and protect your eyes from further strain. Alcohol is a diuretic that contributes to dehydration, light sensitivity, increased urine production, and reduced tear production.
- Beyond the liver, drinking a lot of alcohol over a long period of time also damages the brain and impairs its ability to function.
- Alcohol poisoning can quickly become life-threatening and requires prompt medical treatment.
- Even if you drink occasionally, protecting your eye health should be a priority.
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. Drinking in moderation (defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men) isn’t going to cause any lasting negative problems with your eyes.
Alcohol Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, & Treatment
Some research suggests a connection between alcohol consumption and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that affects central vision. Alcohol’s diuretic properties can also exacerbate dry eye syndrome, causing irritation and discomfort. These long-term conditions highlight the potential for lasting damage to vision from sustained alcohol abuse.
At CT Addiction Medicine, we provide evidence-based treatment options, medical detox and counseling to help you if you’re able to overcome alcohol abuse and misuse. The eyes don’t just mirror the soul — they can tell a vivid story of the physical world deeper inside, particularly the liver. One signal is a distinctive yellowing of the eyes known as scleral icterus. It’s a telltale sign of liver damage caused by the buildup of a substance called bilirubin that gets deposited in the whites of the eyes. To carry out normal activities correctly, the optic nerve needs these nutrients.
When you drink too much over the course of many years, you are at risk of developing permanently blurred vision or even double vision. This is because alcohol weakens your eye muscles over a period of time. Beyond just Sobriety being annoying, this effect is also dangerous – it can also decrease your reaction time.
Since your brain controls your eye muscles, alcohol has a direct effect on how your eyes move and how they process visual information. In addition to alcohol consumption, genetics and nutrition also play a role in the development of these eye diseases. A family history of eye disease or a diet lacking essential nutrients can increase the risk of these conditions. These symptoms occur due to alcohol causing a temporary disruption in the communication between the eyes and the brain.
- The alcohol-induced blurry vision typically occurs because the eye muscles responsible for focusing become less coordinated.
- For some people who develop AMD, their disease (and vision loss) develops very slowly.
- A drunk person might experience difficulties distinguishing between colors or experience halos around lights as a result of liquor consumption.
- You will also have slower dilation of the pupils resulting in more difficulty seeing while drinking and especially at night.
These migraines can be accompanied by sensitivity to light and other related vision problems. In addition to a healthy diet, adopting positive lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, quality sleep, and proper hydration can improve overall health, including eye health. By prioritising these preventative measures, you can minimise the damaging effects of alcohol on your eyesight and maintain optimal vision. The alcohol-induced blurry vision typically occurs because the eye muscles responsible for focusing become less coordinated. This effect usually subsides once the alcohol is metabolized and its effects wear off.