Does Drinking Alcohol Contribute to Vision Issues?
At Florida Eye Specialists and Cataract Institute, we are proud to deliver personal service that has ensured the satisfaction of our patients. You might be wise in limiting your consumption of alcohol to special occasions, dinners, and celebrations. In the case of damage to the eye from alcohol abuse, it is best to be wise in preventing it.
- Let’s take a closer look at how alcohol can affect your vision and eye health.
- You may also be able to find alcohol addiction treatment near you by visiting the SAMHSA treatment locator.
- It is primarily caused by factors such as dehydration, changes in blood pressure, alcohol metabolism, and impaired eye muscle coordination.
- It varies in frequency and duration, ranging from a few seconds to several minutes.
Health Challenges
This means that it can take a little longer than usual for your brain to recognize what you are seeing, and it can take longer than usual for you to decide what to do about it. Drinking alcohol may decrease the sensitivity of your peripheral vision. You might not see very well on your right and left sides, which can cause you to ignore objects on your sides. This may also give you the effect or perception of having tunnel vision.
How often should my children have an eye exam?
Short-term effects of alcohol on vision clear on their own as you sober up. Over time, excessive alcohol use can cause lasting damage to the eye that may promote conditions of vision loss and unusual eye movement. Due to conflicting evidence on the role alcohol may play in chronic vision conditions, more research is necessary to clarify the long-term effects of heavy alcohol use on the eyes.
Vision Issues from Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Learn about the impact of cocaine on the eyes and vision, including pupil dilation, symptoms, risks and what to look out for. Chronic alcoholism can lead to liver damage and eventually alcohol-related liver disease (or ALD). One of the most noticeable signs of ALD is jaundice, which is a yellowing of the eyes and skin. Types of ALD include alcohol-related cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis and alcohol-related steatohepatitis. A large longitudinal study published in 2021 similarly showed a link between low to moderate wine drinking and a lower risk of developing cataracts that required surgery.
How Can I Minimize My Risk of Vision Problems?
Possible short-term problems relating to intoxication include blurry vision, changes in color perception, and light sensitivity. Treatments can vary based on how alcohol has affected a person’s eyes and optic nerve. While double vision from drinking is a temporary effect, this is just one of the reasons that drinking and driving can be so dangerous. Dr. Ivan Yong is an optometrist with over a decade of experience in the optical industry. He earned his doctorate from the Southern California College of Optometry and has practiced in multiple settings, including private practice, community health, and ophthalmology.
Optic neuropathy can also develop as a result of accidental methanol poisoning. In some cases, methanol poisoning can occur as a result of drinking homemade alcohol or moonshine. Alcohol tends to affect the speed at which your iris constricts and dilates. A driver that has been drinking alcohol cannot Crack Overdose Crack Overdose Treatment, Signs, & Symptoms adapt as quickly to oncoming headlights. If you or a loved one need support to cut back or stop drinking alcohol, get in touch with your GP.
This results in inflammation and irritation, causing symptoms of dry eye. Drinking alcohol can cause dry eyes, and when dry eyes become a persistent problem, you may be living with DED. This vision problem can lead to lots and lots of headaches, especially during the sobering-up stage. Expect slow pupil reaction time for up to 24 hours after your bout of excessive drinking. Rapid eye movements or involuntary eye movements are often called nystagmus and can affect one or both eyes.