Your vision relies on a few different functions that your brain and eyes carry out, and alcohol impairs more than one of these functions. These are short-term effects that can begin while you are drinking, and can last for several hours afterward. 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. Following your month off alcohol, your body’s red blood cells will have begun to renew, resulting in better blood flow and oxygen supply to your organs and, of course, eyes. To maintain healthy eyes and overall health, reduce your consumption of alcohol and make sure you stay hydrated. If you’re experiencing dry eye symptoms, find an eye doctor at MyDryEye for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Is Blurred Vision in One Eye Serious?
Bloodshot eyes – Alcohol reduces oxygen to your red blood cells, causing blood vessels to clump together and resulting in a ruddy complexion and red, bloodshot eyes. Loss of contrast – Alcoholic drinks decrease the reactions of the pupils, meaning that they cannot constrict or dilate correctly according to the levels of light surrounding them. This affects the ability of the eye blurry vision after drinking alcohol to detect contrasts between different colours and shades, important in activities such as driving or playing sports. Alcohol can also reduce the eye’s capability of detecting differences between light and dark by 30%. Migraines are severe, pounding headaches that usually involve other symptoms. Some people experience a period of visual disturbances before a migraine attack.
How Can Alcohol Affect My Vision and Eye Health?
Complete and permanent loss of eyesight can also be called tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, or toxic amblyopia. The treatment for vision problems related to alcohol consumption can vary based on individual cases. Your eye doctor can determine the underlying cause or recommend reducing alcohol consumption to reduce your risk of dry eye disease and other effects. Alcohol-related vision problems may differ depending on how long someone has been drinking, how much they consume, and how often, along with their specific health conditions.
How Does Alcohol Affect Your Vision?
Years of alcohol consumption impairs many of the body’s functions resulting in organ failure. Thus, is it so important to limit or even cut out alcohol if necessary. Excessively dry eyes can lead to tissue damage, and even scar the sensitive corneal tissues of your eye, impairing vision. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health, as it contributes to the production of a protein called rhodopsin that helps you see in low-light conditions.
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However, it can also signal an underlying condition that requires prompt medical attention. Although somewhat debated, some believe that drinking reduces some of the antioxidants in your system – and these antioxidants are the ones that protect against eye diseases specifically. You may be at a higher risk of developing cataracts and other eye diseases if you drink heavily.
Short-term effects may result from intoxication, which people often describe as “being drunk.” This occurs when alcohol affects the central nervous system. A person can become intoxicated even with moderate drinking and may experience temporary disturbances to their vision. “Cutting out alcohol as part of Dry January will allow your body to reverse and put the brakes on many of the short and long-term effects of drinking. For example, after just 24 hours of no alcohol, your blood sugar levels will normalise, and blurred vision caused by alcohol intake will disappear. 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.
- Dry eye syndrome can be worsened for those who already suffer with this uncomfortable condition.
- If you think you or someone you know may have a problem with consumption, Drinkwise Support Services and Alcoholics Anonymous have many resources to help.
- The more you drink in one sitting, the more likely it is that you will have blurry vision and dizziness.
- For example, researchers found that people who have been drinking are likely to rate images as more attractive, widely known as the “beer goggles” effect.