Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol as the main ingredient. It is a chemical substance that has psychoactive effects on the human central nervous system, which can affect behavior, thoughts and feelings. Consuming alcoholic beverages produces effects such as relaxation, euphoria, and decreased awareness and alertness.
Consuming alcoholic beverages in moderation or occasionally may not be harmful. However, excessive or frequent consumption can have negative effects on both physical and mental health, including eye health.
Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Eye Health
Both moderate and excessive alcohol intake can impact vision. These effects can manifest in both short-term and long-term capacities, as outlined below.
Short-term effects:
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Impaired color perception
- Abnormal eye movements
Read more: Things That Happen To The Body When Stop Drinking Alcohol
Long-term effects:
- Decreased ability of pupils to dilate, which affects the reaction to light and seeing colors
- Red eyes due to dilated blood vessels
- Development of migraine headaches
- Nutritional optic neuropathy
- Macular degeneration
- Changes in color perception
- Dry eye disease
Is It True That Drinking Alcohol Can Cause Blindness?
Yes. Excessive alcohol drinking over the long term can increase the risk of several conditions that can lead to vision loss or blindness. Some of these conditions include:
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Excessive alcohol consumption can elevate the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss among older individuals. This condition affects the central area of vision known as the macula in the retina, resulting in symptoms like blurred vision or even blindness.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Overconsumption of alcohol also increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that develops in people with diabetes who do not control their sugar levels properly. Diabetic retinopathy can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, resulting in blindness.
Read more: How To Overcome Alcoholic Drunkness (Hangover)
Nutritional Optic Neuropathy
Heavy drinking of alcohol can lead to the development of nutritional optic neuropathy, a condition that affects the optic nerve and causes vision loss. This condition is often associated with the consumption of large amounts of alcohol.
Toxic Amblyopia
Toxic amblyopia is a condition associated with optic nerve damage due to excessive alcohol consumption. This can lead to decreased visual acuity and even vision loss if left untreated.
It is important to remember that alcohol addiction or excessive alcohol consumption is not only bad for eye health but also for overall health. Reducing or avoiding excessive alcohol consumption can help protect your eyes and keep them healthy.
If you have difficulty controlling or stopping alcohol consumption, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr. Yuliana Inosensia
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Mayo Clinic (2023). Diabetic retinopathy. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371611
John J. Chen (2022). Nutritional and Toxic Optic Neuropathies. Available from: https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-kr/home/eye-disorders/optic-nerve-disorders/nutritional-and-toxic-optic-neuropathies
A. D. RUEDEMANN, M.D (2024). Toxic Amblyopia. Available from: https://www.ccjm.org/content/ccjom/6/3/241.full.pdf
