Bloodshot eyes, dryness, or blurred and double vision are common side effects of drinking alcohol. However, there are long-term effects on eyesight from excessive alcohol consumption, potentially leading to permanent vision impairments, dry eyes, and optic neuropathy.
Understanding the Connection Between Alcohol and Vision
The link between alcohol and vision extends beyond blurred vision after a night of drinking. Over time, excessive alcohol use can cause long-term damage to eyesight, leading to severe ocular conditions and diseases. Chronic alcoholism has long been associated with affecting a range of physiologic processes and functions in the body, including the visual system. The retina, or neural portion of the eye, is an extension of the central nervous system (CNS). Alcohol intoxication is known for its significant impact on the central nervous system (CNS), further contributing to alcohol’s effects on visual functions.
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. Individuals with pre-existing health issues, such as liver damage, kidney disease, migraines, diabetes, or poor vision, may experience more severe impacts from alcohol on their eyesight.
The Short and Long-Term Impact of Alcohol on Eyesight
The impact of alcohol on vision is generally associated with its short-term effects, such as light sensitivity, blurry vision, and poor peripheral vision. Chronic alcohol use, over time, can cause severe and irreversible damage to vision and eye health. Alcohol-related vision problems from chronic use can include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular migraines.
Temporary Effects
The temporary effects of alcohol on eyesight typically include:
- Blurry or double-vision
- Dry eyes
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Decreased peripheral vision
- Rapid eye movement
- Slows communication signals between the eyes and the brain
- Slower pupil reaction
- Decreased contrast sensitivity
Alcohol consumption can temporarily impair visual performance, resulting in double or blurred vision. As a diuretic, alcohol use dehydrates the body, leading to itchy, dry, and bloodshot eyes. Acute alcohol intoxication can also slow pupil reactions to changes in light, which can hinder someone’s vision in bright or dim environments. It can also impair color perception and peripheral vision, decrease contrast sensitivity, and cause abnormal or rapid eye movements. Alcohol’s short-term effects on eyesight can lead to potentially harmful situations, including accidents and injuries. Higher alcohol intake can result in slower communication between the brain and the optic nerves, further impacting vision quality.
Long-Term Effects
The long-term effects of alcohol on vision are not only severe but can also be irreversible, including but not limited to:
- Optic neuropathy
- Changes in color perception
- Permanent blurred or double vision
- Ocular migraines
- Cataracts
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR)
- Impairments of visual quality
Higher alcohol intake can lead to optic neuropathy, an ocular condition where the optic nerve is damaged, leading to vision loss or scotoma. Tobacco-alcohol optic neuropathy, also known as tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, is common in heavy alcohol drinkers and can be irreversible depending on the nerve damage. Regular alcohol use can cause permanent double or blurred vision while also impairing a person’s ability to perceive colors and light. Alcohol is a common trigger for migraine headaches as well as ocular migraines. An ocular migraine is an episode of vision loss in one eye, often accompanied by a headache.
Evidence supports the association between chronic alcohol use and the increased risk of developing cataracts, which is when there’s a cloudy area in the eye lens that impairs someone’s vision. Chronic alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a disease that affects the retina and causes frequent loss of central vision. While AMD is more common in elderly individuals, someone with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) is more susceptible to early AMD.
Individuals with diabetes who also engage in regular alcohol consumption are at an increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (DR). Over time, frequent alcohol abuse can lead to permanent visual impairments, including cloudy vision, double vision, light sensitivities, and reduced color perception.
Prevention and Detox Treatment for Alcohol Abuse
The impact of regular alcohol consumption can range from mild to severe health risks, social consequences, and legal issues—short and long-term. Understanding the risks and consequences associated with alcohol use is essential for individuals of all ages, as it can affect everyone differently. The most effective method for avoiding the repercussions of alcohol is to refrain from drinking and adopt a sober mindset. Many individuals associate an alcohol-free or sober lifestyle with people who have an addiction problem, but that’s not always the case. Embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle can have a range of physical, mental, behavioral, and social benefits, including:
- Improved neurological, cardiovascular, and ocular health
- Enhanced mental health and well-being
- Increased awareness and attention span
- Stronger connections with friends, family, and acquaintances
- Improved work ethic and job performance
- An overall better quality of life
Adopting a sober lifestyle doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy social gatherings, events, or parties. Altering your perception and mindset allows you to recognize how the benefits of sobriety outweigh all the things you think you’re missing out on.
Drug and Alcohol Detox Treatment in Stuart, FL
If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, a professional alcohol detox program can assist you on the road to sobriety. Remember that it’s okay to ask for professional help and support when battling an addiction. It’s not easy, and we’re here to help. Here at Coastal Detox, we offer detox programs for alcohol addiction in Stuart, FL, along with opioid detox, heroin detox, and fentanyl detox.
Reach out and choose sobriety today!
References:
- Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research, 2021. Alcohol and the Eye.
- Neuroscience 2nd Edition. The Retina.
- Complete Eye Care. How Can Alcohol Affect My Vision and Eye Health?
- Medical News Today, 2022. What to know about the effects of alcohol on the eyes.
- Journal of Medicine and Life, 2014. Tobacco-alcohol optic neuropathy – clinical challenges in diagnosis.
- StatPearls, 2023. Anatomy, Head and Neck: Eye Nerves.
- American Optometric Association. Ocular migraine.
- National Eye Institute, 2023. Cataracts.