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. Drink plenty of water, use lubricating eye drops, get enough rest, apply cool compresses, and wear sunglasses to protect from harsh light.
What Are “Alcoholic Eyes?”
Alcohol dilates blood vessels, leading to enlarged visible capillaries known as spider veins. Studies report a high prevalence of spider veins in alcoholics, reaching 46.7% in one study. Alcohol abuse reduces the body’s ability to process vital nutrients and vitamins that the skin needs to remain healthy. Over time, this can lead to impurities in pores and can cause aggressive acne.
Over time, excessive alcohol use can cause lasting damage to the eye that may promote conditions of vision loss and unusual eye movement. Detoxing from alcohol, committing to long-term sobriety, and restoring nutrients through a healthy diet and What Makes Drugs Addictive Find Out How & Why Drugs Are Addictive lifestyle will set the body back on a path to wellness. Excessive drinking affects the way the liver absorbs vitamins needed for healthy eyesight.
Treatment Options for Alcoholic Eyes
- From there, alcohol can cause the blood vessels in your eyes to swell, which leads to bloodshot eyes.
- When we drink, alcohol affects many systems of the body, some of which change the way our eyes look and feel.
- Without proper treatment for alcohol abuse, treatment for eye issues will be negated.
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. Drinking alcohol can cause dry eyes, and when dry eyes become a persistent problem, you may be living with DED. Studies also reflect that the more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to develop cataracts. Excessive alcohol consumption can significantly increase the risk of age-related cataracts. Alcohol can mess with color perception by affecting the brain areas responsible for interpreting colors.
How Alcohol Affects Your Eyes
When the liver is damaged by excessive alcohol consumption, it fails to process the bilirubin, causing it to accumulate. A doctor can provide more details about what a person can do to address their vision issues. People may also consider quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption to reduce the risk of negative effects on the eyes and other aspects of health. Heavy drinking can lead to long-term effects on the eyes that can range in severity from rapid eye movement to vision loss and blindness.
For example, many people have occult eye muscle imbalances, but the sober brain can preserve crisp, single vision. Once the person has consumed a little alcohol, the brain relaxes that control and vision problems become apparent. However, these changes will go away once the alcohol has cleared the system. The liver processes most of the alcohol we drink but is unable to deal with all of it. For heavy drinkers and those with an alcohol use disorder, the remaining alcohol leaves the body via breath, sweat, and urine. The calories contained in alcohol are commonly referred to as ‘empty calories’, meaning they hold no nutritional value for the body.
Examples of eye symptoms to check with a doctor
Alcohol use is connected with various vision problems, including blurry sight, dry eyes, and even blindness. These side effects can be both temporary and long term, and they range in severity. Remember that an addiction to alcohol goes further than just physical harm. In addition to these physical signs of alcoholism, be sure to watch out for the other symptoms that come with addiction.