They tend to be pretty obvious, signaling that the brain is under the influence. Intoxication is responsible for short-term effects such as blurred vision. Once a person recovers from intoxication, their vision should return to normal.
DED — also known as dry eye, dry eye syndrome, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca — is a chronic condition where your eyes either stop making enough tears or produce low quality tears. If you regularly consume alcohol and dry eyes have become an issue, it may have to do with alcohol’s inflammatory and dehydrating properties. Studies show that people who consume an excessive amount of alcohol have a higher risk of cataracts forming. Many people describe cataracts as looking through a fogged-up or frosty window. Overcoming addiction is a journey that often requires more than just good intentions.
A driver that has been drinking alcohol cannot adapt as quickly to oncoming headlights. Your muscles might not move as effectively while you are under the influence of alcohol. When this happens, you may have blurred vision or double vision due to weakened eye-muscle coordination. If you find that a night of overindulgence leads to short-term eye issues the morning after, there are a few things you can try. While these problems are usually temporary, knowing how to address them can make all the difference in turning your day around. The Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov once said, “The tongue may hide the truth but the eyes — never!
Drinking alcohol when you’re already experiencing dry eye for other reasons can add the effects of alcohol to your existing symptoms. If you already live with a dry eye diagnosis, drinking alcohol may make your symptoms worse. Terry Hurley is a retired educational professional and freelance writer with more than fifty years of experience. A former reading specialist and learning center director, Terry loved her years working with children in the educational field. She has written extensively for print and online publications specializing in education and health issues.
Alcoholic Eyes
The condition known as scleral icterus causes the whites of the eyes to turn yellow due to an accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a natural, yellow-colored byproduct of red-blood cell breakdown and is eliminated by the liver. When the liver is damaged by excessive alcohol consumption, it fails to process the bilirubin, causing it to accumulate.
Some people who drink may also develop red or bloodshot eyes or experience blurred or double vision. Heavy drinkers or individuals that drink often put themselves at a higher risk for short term and permanent damages. Heavy drinking can also lead to other bodily risks, such as liver damage which is commission paid meaning closely related to eye health. This usually subsides over a short amount of time once a person stops drinking. If you’re grappling with concerns about how alcoholism might be impacting your eyesight, taking prompt action is crucial. Schedule a consultation with your doctor to discuss your symptoms and explore potential treatments.
Medical professionals, addiction specialists, and support networks can provide the necessary guidance, support, and resources for recovery. Redness is one of the most obvious facial signs of excessive alcohol intake, but it can have a few different causes. Alcohol dilates your blood vessels, which can cause temporary redness and a flushed appearance. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that causes the central portion of the retina, or macula, to wear down. AMD is the leading cause of permanent vision loss and gets worse over time. Heavy consumption of alcohol can cause damage to the retina and increase the risk for AMD.
By gaining insight into the effects of alcohol on the eyes, individuals can better understand the impact of alcohol abuse on their overall health. Recognizing these visual indicators can serve as a catalyst for seeking help and beginning the journey toward recovery. Alcohol abuse can have significant effects on various aspects of a person’s health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being. One noticeable physical manifestation of alcohol abuse can be observed in the eyes. The appearance of alcoholic eyes can exhibit certain characteristics that indicate the individual’s heavy or prolonged alcohol consumption.
Decreased Vision from a Vitamin Deficiency
- This issue isn’t just bothersome; it can also be unsafe if you’re trying to navigate your way home or manage tasks that require sharp vision.
- If you’re living with an alcoholic, you know how these dynamics can strain relationships and impact everyone in the household.
- This is thanks to the same enlarged blood vessels that cause facial redness.
- Drinking alcohol when you’re already experiencing dry eye for other reasons can add the effects of alcohol to your existing symptoms.
Cataracts are a condition identifiable by an opaque layer on the lens of the eye that causes blurred vision. Heavy drinkers are more at risk for optic neuropathy due to the combination of vitamin deficiency and loss of appetite resulting in malnutrition. Even after you stop drinking, you may still be under the effects of dehydration, and DED changes from regular alcohol use don’t typically go away the moment you stop drinking. According to the meta-analysis authors, alcohol and dry eye are connected in multiple ways.
Eye Muscle Damage and Alcohol: The Link You Need to Know
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction and experiencing symptoms like alcohol eyes, we are here to help. Please contact us to learn more about our programs and how we can support you on your journey to recovery. While the detrimental effects of alcoholism on various organs are well-documented, the impact on eyesight remains a less-explored territory. It turns out that excessive alcohol consumption can wreak havoc on your vision, causing a range of problems from damaged blood vessels to optic nerve impairment.
What to know about the effects of alcohol on the eyes
More significant changes in skin tone or a yellowing skin tone could be a sign of jaundice and progressing liver damage or hepatitis. Alcohol flush is a type of alcohol intolerance that happens because of an enzyme mutation in the body. People who experience this side effect have a mutation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), a detoxifying acetaldehyde.