One of these physical changes is the redness of the eyes that can occur after drinking alcohol. This redness is caused by the body’s reaction to the alcohol, leading to the dilation of blood vessels in the eyes. While this may be an uncomfortable symptom, it is typically not dangerous and should resolve itself after the alcohol leaves the body. So next time you find yourself with red eyes after a night of drinking, remember it’s just your body’s way of telling you it’s had enough. In most cases where the individual is not considered a chronic alcohol abuser and has no underlying health disorders – no, eye pain after drinking alcohol is not an indicator of any medical danger. The best thing you can do to alleviate eye-related symptoms caused by alcohol consumption is to cut back on drinking or eliminate alcohol altogether.
Drinking alcohol can cause dry eyes, and when dry eyes become a persistent problem, you may be living with DED. If you regularly consume alcohol and dry eyes have become an issue, it may have to do with alcohol’s inflammatory and dehydrating properties. When consumed in large amounts over an extended period of time, alcohol can change the health of your eyes by weakening the muscles and deteriorating parts of your brain that control sight. Dry eyes are a common symptom from any type of alcoholic beverage, including wine. Not only can alcohol cause you to be dehydrated, which strains your eyes, but alcohol can also slow down your eyes’ natural reflexes. Our eyes are meant to naturally switch between dilating to let in more light and constricting to filter out light in order to help us see in different environments.
Sign Up & Get Our FREE Recovery Guide
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), bloodshot eyes are a warning sign that your child may be drinking alcohol. Considering the fact that bloodshot eyes after drinking is a multifaceted problem that requires a multitude of methods to prevent or treat, it is nonetheless possible to prevent or at least reduce the incidence and appearance of this particular hangover symptom. Alcoholic hepatitis most often happens in people who drink heavily over many years. If you are experiencing severe eye pain, it is important to talk to your doctor about treatment options. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, to reduce the symptoms.
If you experience eye pain after drinking alcohol, it is important to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. With the right medical care and lifestyle modifications, you can reduce the frequency and intensity of these symptoms, allowing you to enjoy an alcohol-free lifestyle. Alcohol can have both short-term and long-term negative effects on your eyes.
Use Eye Drops
In addition, certain medications used to treat alcoholism may also increase the risk of developing subconjunctival hemorrhage. The following tips may help reduce the chances of blurry vision after drinking alcohol developing red eyes when drinking. Increased blood flow to the eye area causes bloodshot eyes, which is triggered by alcohol’s tendency to dilate blood vessels in general.
During your treatment process, you will learn the ins and outs of addiction as you recover in order for you to take this knowledge and the skills you’ll practice with you once you begin your new sober life. Learning about the short- and long-term effects of alcoholic eyes—and addiction in general—can leave a lot of people feeling hopeless. But rest assured that our team is here to help you to get back on your feet so that you can clearly see the bright future that lies ahead. The risk of developing age-related cataracts changes based on the amount of alcohol a person drinks. An Optometry and Vision Science study found that moderate drinking may have a protective effect against cataracts.
What Is Alcoholic Neuropathy?
They saw halos and starbursts, had difficulty seeing contrast, and experienced longer recovery time after a bright light was shined in their eyes. Unhealthy amounts of alcohol consumption can lead to a decrease in peripheral vision, weakened eye muscles, a thinning of the cornea, and loss of color vision—all things that can lead to permanent vision loss. Getting red eyes after drinking is not a long-term consequence, and your eyes should regain their normal color once the alcohol has left your system. But while these effects are temporary, even a small amount of alcohol can cause the uncomfortable effects of eye dryness. This experiment is just one of many conducted since the 1970s on the psychological effects of fake drinks.
Try Bilberry Young Shoot, a plant-based herbal supplement that offers antioxidant support to promote vision and cardiovascular health. Or try Bilberry, a simple but ideal supplement for your individual needs. Bilberry helps to support healthy vision, which may result from its ability to promote healthy levels of rhodopsin, which is a retinal pigment involved in vision and the adaptation to low-light spaces.
This can be done through a variety of methods that are most effective when combined – the majority of which will also help treat any other symptoms encountered during the course of this hangover condition. This may take up to half an hour to fully take effect, wherein the cold compress must be pressed against the eyes the entire time so as to draw fluid away from the area. Compounds present within the eye drops like naphazoline and tetrahydrozoline work by inducing an anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive effect in the tissue of the eye, directly countering the symptoms of a hangover. However, if you have a serious reaction or severe pain, see your doctor. Also, if your symptoms seem to be linked to an allergy or a medication you’re taking, see your doctor. Although not a true allergy, in some cases, what seems to be alcohol intolerance might be your reaction to something in an alcoholic beverage — such as chemicals, grains or preservatives.
- One of the main reasons for damage to the eyes from alcohol abuse is thought to be vitamin deficiency from long-term alcohol abuse.
- A drink consists of 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is found in 12 ounces of regular beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits.
- And having a drink every now and then isn’t likely to harm your eyes seriously, but drinking a substantial amount on a regular basis can lead to long-term consequences to your eyesight, including permanent blindness.
- This is due to the decreased production of tears caused by alcohol, which can lead to an itchy, burning sensation in the eyes.
- When alcohol is consumed, it can cause a decrease in the production of tears.
- Although not a true allergy, in some cases, what seems to be alcohol intolerance might be your reaction to something in an alcoholic beverage — such as chemicals, grains or preservatives.
Comments (0)