Alcohol and Eye Health: The Effect of Alcohol on Vision
In this article, we will explore how alcohol affects the eyes and why it can lead to blurry vision. The first stage of the illness is fatty liver disease, or steatosis. This happens when fat starts to accumulate in the liver, which is responsible for metabolizing alcohol. In the second stage, excessive alcohol consumption activates the body’s immune system, causing inflammation in the liver.
- It may also damage or speed up the aging of various structures inside the eye, such as the lens, retina, and optic nerve.
- Alcohol can impair the immune system and reduce the body’s ability to fight off bacteria and diseases, including those affecting the eyes.
- In the present study, the mean speed was higher in the three road sections (dual carriageway, two-lane mountain road, and inner city) with a BrAC of 0.40 mg/l.
- Dehydration can cause dry eye, a condition where your eye lacks the fluids to keep it lubricated.
We did not find any significant differences for vertical phoria at near and distance, suggesting that alcohol consumption at a BrAC of 0.40 mg/l does not affect vertical muscles and visual axes25,26,64. Munsamy et al.26 found significant impairments in horizontal positive and negative fusional vergences after alcohol consumption (BrAC of 0.25 mg/l and 0.50 mg/l). In our study, we confirmed that all the mean horizontal positive and negative fusional vergences decreased significantly at near and at distance after consuming alcohol (BrAC of 0.40 mg/l). Moreover, in the break and recovery points, a BrAC of 0.40 mg/l induced a statistically significant impairment of fusional reserves, causing a significant impairment in the Percival’s and Sheard’s criteria at distance.
Alcohol and optic neuropathy
Temporary effects of excessive alcohol and eyesight result in blurry and distorted vision. But it is the long-term effects of excessive alcohol consumption you should be more concerned with. Phoria is defined as the locus (center) of intersection of the lines https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of sight, measured with respect to the object of regard, in the absence of a fusional vergence response37. Under photopic conditions, distance and near-dissociated phorias (horizontal and vertical) were measured with a phoropter using Von Graefe’s method38.
Alcohol, as a diuretic, can cause dehydration leading to dry eyes, which may contribute to redness. Therefore, if you notice persistent redness in your eyes after drinking, it might be time to reconsider your alcohol consumption. Long-term abuse of alcohol can also lead to toxic amblyopia blurry vision after drinking alcohol or vision loss. Both short-term and long-term use of alcohol affects the optic nerve and the relationship between the brain and the eye. Swelling of the blood vessels in the eye or the look of red bloodshot eyes is a common feature of those who have been lifetime drinkers.
How alcohol affects your eyes
If you suddenly stop drinking, your brain has to adjust again, causing these withdrawal symptoms. Optic neuritis refers to inflammation (swelling) and irritation of the optic nerve. It can happen on its own or as a result of another condition, including multiple sclerosis. Well, alcohol slows down the communication between neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are necessary for the brain to communicate with the rest of the body and vice versa. A delayed communication between the brain and the eyes causes the muscles in the eyes to weaken and lose coordination.
