For instance, your liver could develop scarring so severe that it will no longer function properly. This can result in jaundice, which is the yellowing of the eyes, as well as chronic pain. You may also develop blood pressure issues or other secondary health problems. Immediately after alcohol consumption, there is typically a temporary decrease in intraocular pressure.

Alcohol use is connected with various vision problems, including blurry sight, dry eyes, and even blindness. These side effects can be both temporary and long term, and they range in severity. The more you drink, the higher your risk is for developing any of these conditions. From there, alcohol can cause the blood vessels in your eyes to swell, which leads to bloodshot eyes.

Even small changes can make a significant difference in maintaining eye health and preventing potential eye damage caused by alcohol. At Pathways Recovery Center, we use these symptoms as starting points to delve deeper into a person’s health status and history of substance use. By understanding the wide-ranging effects of alcohol on the body, including eye health, we tailor our treatment approaches to ensure a comprehensive recovery process. Many individuals also question whether alcoholism is hereditary, especially if they have seen patterns of alcohol use disorder within their family. While genetics can influence the risk of developing alcoholism, it is not the sole determining factor—environmental and behavioral aspects also play a significant role. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, making the whites of your eyes appear red.

Dry Eyes

Chronic heavy drinking may elevate intraocular pressure, increasing the risk of glaucoma, which can lead to irreversible vision loss. Early stages are often asymptomatic, but as the disease progresses, peripheral vision may be lost, eventually leading to blindness if left untreated. Alcoholic myopathy is a condition that causes loss of function, strength, and deterioration of muscles after prolonged excessive alcohol consumption or binge drinking.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

• One of the most common issues is dry eye disease (DED), caused by alcohol’s dehydrating and inflammatory properties.
• Our eyes, though small, are deeply affected by alcohol use, revealing a surprising amount of health issues.
• With each drink, your eyes may look different, move more slowly, or respond less to light.
• Alcohol can impair your vision, especially after consuming large quantities of alcohol.

In the event that you continue to drink, it’s possible that you can go completely blind due to alcohol abuse. However, for people with pre-existing eye conditions like glaucoma, the temporary rise in IOP may be more significant and potentially exacerbate their condition. If you have glaucoma or any other eye diseases that affect eye pressure, please consult with an eye care professional about alcohol’s potential impact on your eye health. From bloodshot sclera to vision changes, heavy drinking often leaves visible signs in and around the eyes. People sometimes refer to these changes as “alcoholic eyes.” While the term is informal, the symptoms can point to serious health issues alcoholic eyes: the impact alcohol has on your eyes related to alcohol use.

Give Your Loved One the Gift of Sight with OCL Vision

Although many people are aware of the damage excessive drinking or addiction has on some bodily organs, few are aware of the damaging effects it can have on vision. While moderate alcohol consumption may not have as significant an impact on the retina as excessive drinking, it can still contribute to retinal damage over time. It is important to consume alcohol in moderation to minimize the risk of retinal damage. You may find that your night vision deteriorates or that you experience difficulty distinguishing colors—subtle signs that could indicate underlying retinal damage. Additionally, prolonged exposure to alcohol can exacerbate existing eye conditions or contribute to the development of new ones.

Bloodshot Eyes

Additionally, excessive drinking can interfere with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep cycle, leading to sleep disturbances and further impacting eye conditions. It is important to note that the effects of alcohol on visual processing can vary between individuals, and some people may experience more severe consequences than others. These symptoms are not only signs of recent alcohol consumption but may also indicate more chronic alcohol-related health issues. Specifically, individuals consuming between 8 to 16 standard drinks per week were found to have a 4.49 to 8.14 times higher risk of high IOP compared to non-drinkers. The condition known as scleral icterus causes the whites of the eyes to turn yellow due to an accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a natural, yellow-colored byproduct of red-blood cell breakdown and is eliminated by the liver.

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• Alcohol’s impact on the central nervous system disrupts the brain’s ability to process visual information effectively, leading to blurred vision.
• Alcohol affects the eyes’ ability to lubricate themselves, leading to chronic dry eyes.
• This occurs because alcohol impacts the central nervous system, disrupting the brain’s ability to process visual information effectively and accurately.

If you are worried that your or a loved one’s drinking has become out of control, then contact a treatment provider today. Also a common by-product of liver disease, jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and sclera (the whites) of the eye. Some alcohol abusers suffering from jaundice will also experience darkening of the skin around the eyes, mouth, and legs.

Recognizing Alcoholic Eyes: Common Symptoms to Watch

This condition severely affects central vision, crucial for reading, driving, and facial recognition. It poses a significant risk, especially for older adults, impacting essential daily activities and overall quality of life. Heavy drinking increases the risk of developing cataracts, leading to the clouding of the eye’s lens. This condition significantly diminishes visual clarity and can progress to blindness if untreated.

Exposure to toxins, such as alcohol, can permanently damage the optic nerve and impair a person’s vision. Chronic alcohol abuse may lead to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate, which can also contribute to the development of TON. This condition can be painless and progressive, and typically affects both eyes. Alcohol eyes are evidence of excessive alcohol consumption, shown through the change in a person’s eyes. Drinking alcohol can cause the eyes to become bloodshot or red, glassy, or puffy.