In addition to the short-term and temporary effects of alcohol, consuming heavy amounts of alcohol can lead to irreversible eye problems over time. You might develop a painless loss of blurry vision after drinking alcohol vision, decreased peripheral vision, or reduced color vision. Drinking alcohol excessively (frequently or in large amounts) can have harmful effects on your body, including your eyes.
The Short and Long-Term Impact of Alcohol on Eyesight
Many people consider cataract surgery when the symptoms start to interfere with their daily lives. Severe eye infections should be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. Without treatment, they can permanently damage your vision. Sudden blurred vision, pain, redness and discharge can be signs of a serious eye infection. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Blurry vision makes objects in your eyesight look fuzzy or out of focus.
Amaurosis fugax: What’s the prognosis and diagnosis?
It does this by slowing the messages our brain sends to the various parts of our bodies, like our muscles. This relaxes our muscles so they don’t work as well or as fast as they usually do. Vision requires some very delicate muscle coordination, and when this is slowed, our vision will be affected too. The condition is painless and doesn’t usually come with other symptoms. A retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is also called an eye stroke. It’s a blockage in one or more arteries of the retina.
Can blurred vision cause dizziness and nausea?
This situation happens mostly in less developed regions of the world. Common vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and even aging-related reading problems linked to presbyopia can cause gradual blurriness. The good news is these can usually be addressed with glasses or contact lenses. This is an often rapidly-progressing bacterial infection that causes inflammation in the white of the eye.
- The symptoms of sick optic nerve include impaired color vision and permanent visual loss.
- Also referred to as tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, people who drink or smoke in excess can develop optic neuropathy, though it is rare.
- You can also help yourself by developing healthy habits like eating healthy foods and exercising.
- Notify your doctor anytime you experience sudden or persistent blurry vision.
- The optic nerve is in charge of sending impulses from the retina of the eye to the brain.
What to know about the effects of alcohol on the eyes
Your eyes need your brain and nerves to give you sight. When there’s a problem with one of these two areas, it can affect your vision. Other injuries can damage different parts of your eye. These include bleeding inside your eye, a detached retina and other complications. If it’s been a while since surgery, a posterior capsule opacification (PCO) could be causing the blurriness.
- If this occurs, the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen and vision, as well as other bodily functions, may be impaired.
- One of the most common eye injuries is a corneal abrasion — a scratch on the clear, front part of your eye.
- These muscles are constantly being flexed and relaxed to keep your vision stable and in the direction you are choosing to focus on.
- Otherwise, it will not affect your overall eye health.
- Short-term effects may result from intoxication, which people often describe as “being drunk.” This occurs when alcohol affects the central nervous system.
Blurry vision is common and can result from relatively minor conditions such as a migraine or eyestrain. It can also be a side effect of a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. These conditions include stroke, preeclampsia, a concussion, and wet AMD. If you’re unsure about whether to contact a healthcare provider, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
Possible long-term effects on eyes
- Individuals may experience the typical blurred vision where objects, texts, or faces may be challenging to identify.
- Taking multiple medications at the same time or drinking alcohol with some medication can also enhance symptoms.
- Remember that it’s okay to ask for professional help and support when battling an addiction.