How Can Alcohol Affect My Vision and Eye Health?

Most of us know alcohol can have poor effects on our health such as our liver and brain, despite it being a common social activity. However, one of the lesser spoken effects is how alcohol affects and damages vision and eye health.

For example, a Journal Of Ophthalmology study showed that night vision is impacted after a night of drinking in both men and women, with the more they drank correlating to poorer low light vision. We’ll explore the effects of alcohol on eye health in greater detail below, discussing both short-term and long-term effects to be aware of and how to protect your vision.

Why Do My Eyes Get Red When I Drink?

One of the most common symptoms people experience during or after drinking is red eyes. This happens due to Vasodilation. Vasodilation is where the blood vessels in the eye expand causing bloodshot eyes and facial redness.

Excessive drinking can also lead to dry eyes due to reasons such as dehydration, reduced blinking, and inflammation which can in turn lead to worsened redness and discomfort. You may ask: can alcohol cause eyesight problems? The answer is: yes. Eyesight can cause vision problems such as blurred vision, dry eyes, and long-term damage such as optic neuropathy and cataracts.

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol On Vision

Blurred Vision

Alcohol impairs the brain's ability to process visual information, which can make it difficult to focus and see clearly. This is because alcohol affects the central nervous system of the body which slows down the communication between the brain and the eyes. This makes it difficult for the eyes to adjust to different focusing due to poor coordination and muscle relaxation.

Decreased Peripheral Vision

Alcohol narrows your visual field referred to as tunnel vision which reduces your awareness of objects to the side. This is due to the slowed-down visual processing in the brain and can be particularly dangerous when you need awareness, such as when moving around or driving.

Slow Pupil Reaction

Alcohol slows the dilation and constriction of your pupils, making it harder for your eyes to adjust to changes in light. This can lead to light sensitivity and poor night vision.

Dry and Irritated Eyes

As a diuretic, alcohol can dehydrate your body leading to dry, red, and irritated eyes as it disrupts your natural tear film production. It can also affect the quality and quantity of your tears. Learn more about the correct ways to manage dry eyes in our GS blog post.

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Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol On Eye Health

Continuous use of excess alcohol can have negative long-term effects on your eye health and vision such as:

• Cataracts. Excessive alcohol intake can increase the chances of developing cataracts. This is a condition of the eye where the lens becomes cloudy and impairs vision. Alcohol does this for many reasons causing oxidative stress, nutritional deficiencies, and dehydration.

• Neuropathy. Long-term alcohol abuse can damage the optic nerve leading to vision loss and difficulty with color perception. This is caused by nutritional deficiencies, toxic effects of alcohol, poor blood flow, and changes in brain functioning.

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Studies show heavy drinking can affect central vision and the chances of getting Age-Related Macular Degeneration early.

• Keratopathy. Alcohol-induced nutritional deficiencies can damage the cornea. This can lead to a condition known as Keratopathy. Mostly this is down to vitamin A deficiency, reduced tear production, and impaired healing. When the cornea is damaged it will cause pain, blurriness, and sensitivity to light.

Protecting Your Vision

The main way to protect your eyes from alcohol damage is to reduce your consumption or eliminate it. Alongside this, we recommend the following to help protect your eyes:

• Stay hydrated - Drinking water alongside alcohol can help minimize dehydration and its effects on your eyes.
  

• Eat a nutritious diet - Eating a nutritious diet can help protect your eyes and boost natural immunity. Read more about our eye care tips to find out the best foods to eat to support eye health.
  

• Prioritize sleep - Alcohol can disrupt your sleep. Making sure you get enough sleep will supportyour overall eye health and tear production.
  

• Turn to non-alcoholic beverages - Switching to non-alcoholic beverages can still satisfy cravings while supporting eye health without toxic effects.
  

• Avoid smoking - Smoking often goes alongside drinking and can negatively impact eyes causing dryness and even cataracts long term.
  

• Get regular eye exams - Regular eye exams can help you stay on top of your eye health and spot issues early on like macular degeneration.