Drinking too much can lead to eye problems beyond the usual blurred vision

While there are many causes of eye twitching, it may be wise to cut back on drinking for a while if you develop an eye twitch that may be alcohol-related. However, it can also blurry vision hangover indicate a serious eye disease or an underlying condition other than diabetes. That’s why it’s best to report any blurry vision and other vision changes to your doctor.

Ways Excessive Drinking Can Cause Vision Problems

The main symptom is blind spots in your vision that gradually get bigger. Eventually, they will lead to total blindness that cannot be reversed. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. The AMF states that it may be OK to drink a small drink (about 5 ounces) occasionally if doing so doesn’t trigger a migraine. Alcohol has been shown to be a trigger for severe migraine headaches in some people.

• Acute optic neuropathy secondary to methyl alcohol consumption is a serious ocular disease with permanent vision loss or scotoma.
• Tears are essential for maintaining eye comfort and health, as they help to lubricate the eyes, wash away debris, and prevent infections.
• A search of the literature published from 1952 to March 2020 was performed.
• Heavy alcohol consumption could produce free radicals in the liver.
• Tyler Sorensen is the President and CEO of Rebuild Your Vision.
• After graduating top of his class with a Bachelor of Science in Informational Technologies and Administrative Management, he joined Rebuild Your Vision in 2002.

Double vision, blurry vision and drinking

In fact, drinking alcohol did not cause any increase in dry eye symptoms for men. Also referred to as tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, people who drink or smoke in excess can develop optic neuropathy, though it is rare. Studies have shown that vision loss can be a result of a nutritional deficiency, and some professionals believe that the condition develops because https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of the toxic effects of alcohol and tobacco. Closed-angle glaucoma occurs when the fluid in your eyes can’t drain properly. The increased pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss. It’s no secret that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a number of health risks, including liver damage, anemia, cardiovascular disease, and depression.

Alcohol-related liver disease

A 2021 population-based study of more than 77,000 people found that 30% of those who consumed alcohol reported symptomatic dry eye. The results were more significant among women than men, to the point where the study authors noted that alcohol use could be considered a risk factor for dry eye, mainly among women. 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. You may think that a wild lifestyle that includes excessive drinking only affects the brain and liver, but it affects every part of the body for the worse.

• A person with symptoms with Vitamin B1 deficiency should be evaluated by a neurologist and treated promptly with intravenous infusion of vitamin B1.
• Frequent alcohol use can also weaken your immune system, making it easier to pick up contagious illnesses.
• Ethanol in alcoholic beverages can be detected in the tear film, which makes the eyes feel dry and scratchy.
• However, sudden blurred vision in one eye can be a warning sign for a medical emergency.

How Does Alcohol Affect Vision and Eye Health?

Bigger pupils and heavy drinking

Permanent Effects of Alcohol on Eye Health