Potential Alcohol Effects on Vision & Eye Health

Some hand sanitizers do not contain ethyl alcohol but rather methanol. One of the most common side effects of alcohol intoxication is blurred vision. However, this is only one example of how alcohol abuse affects the eyes. Drinking can have many short and long term effects on the eyes and vision. For example, bloodshot eyes and alcohol abuse or yellowing of the eyes from chronic alcoholism are two additional ways the eyes are affected. However, long-term, heavy drinking can pose some serious threats to our vision.

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Drinking alcohol can also cause our faces to look bloated and puffy. Our rehab centers offer a variety of methods to ensure the most significant opportunity for a well-rounded healing experience.

blurry vision after drinking alcohol

In 2020, opioid-related deaths only surpassed alcohol deaths by seven percent. These numbers place alcohol as the third-leading preventable cause of death in the country. Alcohol can make the tear film unstable and cause it to break down. The tear film protects your eyes, so it can lead to dry eye syndrome when it becomes less stable and breaks down. When this happens, your eyes won’t be able to produce tears or the right quantity of tears or lubricant. Don’t drink on an empty stomach, and stay hydrated by drinking water alongside alcoholic beverages.

Can alcohol cause eye problems in the long term?

Treatments can vary based on how alcohol has affected a person’s eyes and optic nerve. Also referred to as tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, people who drink or smoke in excess can develop optic neuropathy, though it is rare. If you find that you’re experiencing health-related problems from drinking alcohol and are having a hard time cutting back, you are not alone. Quitting alcohol can be incredibly difficult and sometimes dangerous when attempted alone. My son had alcohol poisoning and his eyesight is very blurred .

blurry vision after drinking alcohol

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How do you get rid of drunk eyes?

About OCL Vision We deliver first-class eye treatments across London and Herts. Between these two extremes of converse results, various epidemiological studies reported no association between alcohol and IOP elevation or glaucoma. The Blackberry Center is a 64-bed behavioral hospital in St. Cloud, Florida. Nestled in a tranquil setting just outside of Orlando, our mental health facility provides patients with a safe place to reflect, reset and heal.

  • Due to the increased risk for heart disease caused by alcohol, signs of heart disease can be observed in the eyes.
  • If you have peripheral vision loss, vision loss in the peripheral area, or color vision loss, you may lose your vision for a brief period of time.
  • Having impaired eyesight in this way can also decrease your reaction time.
  • In addition to the short-term and temporary effects of alcohol, consuming heavy amounts of alcohol can lead to irreversible eye problems over time.
  • Methanol poisoning is also known to cause optic nerve damage in humans.
  • The links above will provide you with more detailed information on these medical conditions to help you inform yourself about the causes and available treatments for these conditions.

It is important to determine the cause of any vision changes; your eye doctor can treat them or send you to a specialist for further diagnosis or treatment. You might be wise in limiting your consumption of alcohol to special occasions, dinners, and celebrations. In the case of damage to the eye blurry vision after drinking alcohol from alcohol abuse, it is best to be wise in preventing it. Decreasing the reaction time for the pupils to dilate, alcohol can impair the ability to see different color shades or adjust to lighting differences. But studies have shown that tomatoes and tomato components can prevent this damage.