Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency from chronic drinking impairs the optic nerve. Excessive alcohol use is the third leading preventable cause of death in North Carolina, with an estimated 4,000 alcohol-related deaths annually as of 2017.
Optic Neuropathy
Recovered spoke with plastic surgeon Dr. Bart Kachniarz to understand exactly how alcohol abuse affects appearance and what can be done to rectify it. However, chronic heavy alcohol use may lead to prolonged eye redness. This can give the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye) a red or pink appearance.In addition, dryness and irritation from alcohol consumption can cause eye discomfort. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse, reach out for help today. AMD may warrant injections (anti-VEGF), photodynamic therapy, or laser treatment to slow its progression and limit vision loss.
Alcohol widens the blood vessels, including those in the eyes, causing redness and the appearance of bloodshot eyes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Together, we will help you reclaim your life and your eye health. Because of the dehydrating and inflammatory properties of alcohol, a person with an alcohol abuse disorder may develop or worsen these diseases. Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to the development or worsen the symptoms of ocular surface disease (OSD).
What are the Common Symptoms of Alcoholic Eyes?
Are you ready to feel empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
Stop drinking alcohol and seek immediate medical attention if you begin to exhibit any signs of optic nerve damage. Yellowness in or around the eyes is very indicative of liver damage or liver disease. Yellowing of the eyes, better known as jaundice, is often a symptom of a very serious alcohol-induced health issue. Drunk eyes are a signal that alcohol is affecting your body and brain, not just your appearance. If your eyes are often bloodshot from drinking, it could be a sign that you are consuming too much alcohol.
Clients are specifically assigned to licensed mental health counselors, certified addiction professionals, or master-level therapists who not only specialize in the issues they’re facing but are paired with them based on their needs. Early treatment and quitting alcohol decrease these risks. Redness, dryness, and puffiness resolve within days, while yellowing and blurred vision ameliorate over weeks as liver function and nutrient levels recover. A progressive condition where chronic alcohol use impairs liver function, causing inflammation, scarring, or liver failure. Begin your journey to recovery with personalized drug & alcohol rehab—verify your insurance coverage in under a minute.
Even moderate drinking can cause temporary problems with your eyesight. The way alcohol affects your eyes depends on how much and how often you drink. You might notice changes like red and puffy eyes or blurred vision, even after a few drinks. Drinking alcohol, especially over a long time, can change how your eyes look and work.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
A 2020 study published in Nutrients also confirmed alcohol’s diuretic effect and subsequent water retention, causing facial puffiness in 78% of individuals studied. This effect was observed in 52% of participants after consuming a moderate amount of alcohol. Yes, alcohol can cause facial bloating, and there are several studies to support this.
A 2014 study in the journal Clinical Endocrinology found that alcohol disrupts the body’s fluid balance, leading to water retention in the skin. ‘Alcoholic face’ or ‘puffy face’ is a result of the dehydrating effects of alcohol. It can also cause yellowing of the sclera (whites) from jaundice caused by alcohol and liver complications. Alcohol widens the blood vessels in the eyes, causing more blood to flow through them, increasing their appearance and volume. Some of these are strong warning signs that someone might have an alcohol use disorder and are often collectively known as ‘alcoholic face’. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is another indicator of liver disease and is most commonly caused by alcohol use disorder.
How Alcoholism Affects Appearance
- This means the muscles around the eyes have become so compromised that these weakened muscles have difficulty performing common functions.
- While the long-term effects of chronic alcohol use on vision can be daunting, the body is remarkably resilient, so there’s always room for change.
- You can also get help for any co-occurring mental health issues like depression or anxiety when you choose to begin your recovery at Renaissance.
- A yellow warning sign in our eyes indicating liver distress.
- A less noticeable symptom of alcoholic eyes is eye pain or itchiness.
These deaths include about 1,700 from acute causes (e.g., motor vehicle crashes, falls, alcohol poisoning) and 2,300 from chronic causes (e.g., liver disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer), according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). We offer individualized, extended-term treatment in an intimate setting. Trained professionals, such as law enforcement or medical professionals, know how to detect impairment. Eye drops and bright lighting can temporarily reduce redness or glassiness, but other symptoms of intoxication are much harder to hide. It’s important to know the signs of intoxication to help prevent overconsumption, alcohol poisoning, or driving under the influence. If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol use, it’s best to get a professional evaluation.
How Does Alcohol Impact Your Eyes?
Bloodshot eyes are one of the most visible symptoms of alcohol consumption. Alcoholic eyes The term “glassy alcohol eyes” refers to when your eyes look shiny and unfocused, almost as if you’re staring through something. Puffy eyes usually disappear after your body recovers, although frequent drinking can lead to more long-lasting puffiness.
How to Get Treatment for Alcohol Use and Eye Symptoms in North Carolina
Heavy use of alcohol can have adverse effects on your body, and some of these effects can be seen in the eyes. While the long-term effects of chronic alcohol use on vision can be daunting, the body is remarkably resilient, so there’s always room for change. We can often spot these telltale “alcoholic eyes” right away when looking at someone who has had a few too many. Let’s see what these symptoms look like and get a clear vision of what an alcohol-free life can mean for our eye health.
- With the right knowledge and support, turning the page to a healthier chapter is entirely possible!
- Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which connects the eyes to the brain.
- Seeing the difference between drunk eyes and normal eyes can make these changes more understandable.
It also means that individuals who abuse alcohol are more likely to be drowsy during the day, making driving and working potentially dangerous. Alcohol abuse increases vasodilation which in turn makes the effects of rosacea worse. In fact, studies have shown little support that alcohol directly causes the condition. Standard cancer treatment options like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy may be necessary depending on the cancer type and stage. Sun protection, regular skin checks, and addressing alcohol misuse are crucial.
Counseling & Therapy
However, it can cause blurred vision, abnormal eye movement, light sensitivity, and impaired color perception. Even moderate alcohol consumption can cause vision changes. The eyes may look droopy or heavy, and a drunk person will usually blink slowly. The pupils dilate slowly due to the depressant effect of alcohol, which is obvious to other people and gives you visual impairment, like tunnel vision.
This condition can be painless and progressive, and typically affects both eyes. Chronic alcohol abuse may lead to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate, which can also contribute to the development of TON. Toxic optic neuropathy (TON) is another potential complication caused by long-term alcohol consumption. DR is a serious eye condition that affects the red blood cells behind a person’s eyes.
We do not receive any fee or commission dependent upon which treatment or provider a caller chooses. Calls to numbers marked with (I) symbols will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed in our Terms and Conditions, each of which is a paid advertiser. Recurrent swelling may suggest an underlying issue with the kidneys, liver, or heart and should be seen by a doctor if continuing for more than two days in a row. These conditions are linked to vasodilation and iron deficiencies which are indicators of liver disease. This often causes an unpleasant smell that resembles rancid alcohol.
These effects on the eyes are the result of alcohol’s effects on the central nervous system. With occasional drinking, the effects on vision typically subside once the alcohol clears your system and you sober up. You may have experienced double vision or blurriness that happens with alcohol intoxication, or noticed your red, bloodshot eyes in the mirror. As with water retention in the face and body due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol, the feet can also become swollen and discolored due to excessive alcohol abuse.
Regular alcohol use can build dependence quickly, leading to significant and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking. The interference between the brain and the eyes causes alcohol’s risks to the eyes. Gaze nystagmus, which occurs when the eyes bounce around instead of staying still, can also occur with alcohol use because of its effect on the brain’s messaging. This is because of alcohol’s dehydrating effect, which dries the eyes out and gives them a shiny, glazed-over appearance. This happens when you consume alcohol because it’s a diuretic, leading to dehydration that can cause the eyes to become dry and irritated.