Alcohol, when enjoyed in moderation and occasionally, should not have a significant impact on your health. However, too much of anything is bad for your overall well-being. Excessive alcohol consumption can harm various parts of your body, including your eyes.
Learn what drinking alcohol can do to your eye health from a local provider of eyeglasses and frames.
Short-Term Vision Problems
After a few alcoholic drinks, you may start to experience blurry vision. This substance affects your peripheral vision or how you see objects without tilting or moving your eyes. You may experience tunnel vision, double vision, and reduced pupil reaction. These side effects are among the reasons it is not safe to drive after drinking.
In the morning, when you wake up, you may experience dry eye symptom syndrome. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it can cause dehydration in your body. Moreover, you may also get red eyes and have bags under your eyes. Drink plenty of water ,and before going to bed after a night of drinking, don’t forget to remove your contacts. Sleeping with your contact lenses can reduce the oxygen that reaches your cornea.
Long-Term Effect on Your Eye Health
Constantly drinking alcohol in excessive amounts can lead to different vision conditions over time. It can cause amblyopia or lazy eye and increases the chances of developing permanent vision loss. Excessive alcohol consumption is also linked to the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. These two eye conditions are among the leading causes of vision loss worldwide.
Routinely getting an eye exam can help you keep track of your vision and eye health. At Eye and Vision Care, we’re here to assist with your vision correction needs. Call us at (703) 961-9119 (Fairfax), (703) 957-3384 (South Riding), or Haymarket: (703) 659-4430. You may also fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We serve patients in Haymarket, Fairfax, and South Riding, VA.