Alcohol And Vision Problems: What You Need To Know

goodrichopticalmi

When people think of the harm that alcohol can do to their bodies, the first thing that comes into their minds is the liver. But alcohol is a dangerous thing that negatively affects almost every part of our body. One part of the body that most people do not think about is the eyes. You might not know, but people addicted to alcohol are more likely to develop vision-related problems such as blurred vision, double vision and cataracts. Moderate alcohol consumption does not lead to long-term vision problems but can lead to short-term problems, which include blurry vision and headaches. Excessive consumption of alcohol, on the other hand, leads to long-term vision problems, such as rapid eye movement and double vision. Short-term effects on eyes A person's eyesight can change even if they consume moderate amounts of alcohol. People with occult eye muscle imbalance see clearly in a sober state. But when they drink alcohol, their brains relax and leave control, causing vision problems. However, when the alcohol gets cleared from the system, vision returns to normal. Under the influence of alcohol, the following things can happen to you on a short-term basis. 1. Eye muscle coordinationAlcohol consumption might not make you able to move your muscle as effectively as you normally would. Because of weakened eye-muscle coordination, you will experience blurry or double vision. 2. Reduced pupil reactionsIris contraction and expansion speed gets affected by alcohol consumption. It slows down the pupil’s reflexes, which leads to a delay in its ability to constrict when it is subjected to increased light. Though it does not cause much of an issue in normal circumstances, it can make driving dangerous at night as the eyes cannot react quickly to other vehicles' headlights. 3. Lower contrast sensitivityAlcohol impacts contrast sensitivity and your ability to discern between shades and patterns. Heavy rain and fog make it difficult to see properly, making driving difficult. 4. Slower reactionAlcohol makes your reaction slower, which means your brain will take more time to recognise things. The slower reaction can hinder your day-to-day activities, and you may also experience difficulty in driving. Long-term effects on eyesExcessive consumption of alcohol on a daily basis increases your chances of developing cataract problems. Optic neuropathy is one of the most life-threatening consequences of long-term alcohol consumption on the eyes. Also known as tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, this condition is caused by tobacco or alcohol abuse. As per studies, the toxic effects of alcohol and tobacco develop this condition. Alcohol increase the risk of heart disease and the eyes can help us recognise heart problems by giving some signs. Some symptoms are optic neuropathy and hypersensitive retinopathy. Excessive drinking also leads to migraine headaches, vision loss, and decreased colour vision. Treatment of eye-related issuesSomeone who experiences vision issues should see an eye doctor-Ophthalmologist. The doctor will start eye medication depending on the patient's condition. Doctors usually correct patients’ vision through contact lenses/glasses and give them eye drops to get relief from the redness of the eyes. What can you do yourself?Limit alcohol intake.Avoid foods that increase your craving for drinking too much.Count the number of drinks.Our takeOne can prevent vision problems and other mental and psychological problems related to alcohol by decreasing intake. Consuming alcohol in moderation does not cause any problems in the body. But someone who drinks more than a few times a week is more likely to develop liver, heart, and eye problems. You can reduce the risk of developing these problems by limiting alcohol consumption and visiting a healthcare professional before it's too late.