What Are Drunk Eyes? Signs, Causes & Treatment

This group of disorders affects the outermost layer that covers the cornea and conjunctiva, called the epithelial layer. When this layer is damaged, it can cause various serious conditions to the eyes and eyelids. A person diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy (DR) may worsen their visual acuity by consuming alcohol. DR is a serious eye condition that affects the red blood cells behind a person’s eyes.

Preventive steps include moderating alcohol intake, staying hydrated, ensuring a nutrient-rich diet, and regular checkups with an eye doctor. If you’re experiencing symptoms, see an eye specialist and consider quitting or cutting back on alcohol. When we drink, alcohol affects many systems of the body, some of which change the way our eyes look and feel.

Help for Alcohol Abuse

As mentioned before, as well, the eyes can become droopy and puffy, and you may look more “sleepy” because of this. Law enforcement officers assess several alcohol-induced changes to the eyes when performing a field sobriety test on a suspected impaired driver. They may also recommend screening for liver function or nutrient deficiencies. If you notice these symptoms frequently, they may indicate a deeper issue tied to your alcohol consumption. Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology.

Scottsdale Detox

Regular alcohol use can build dependence quickly, leading to significant and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking. Treatments for alcoholic eyes will depend on the condition in question. For example, dry eye may be treated with artificial tears, prescription eye drops, or ointments. Cataracts may warrant monitoring until cataract surgery is needed. Glaucoma can be managed with medications, laser therapy, or surgery.

Glaucoma

It can also happen because of the depressant effect of alcohol, causing the blood vessels to swell and increasing the blood flow. Drunk eyes, also called alcoholic eyes, is a term often used to describe the physical signs that occur in the eyes when you consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Many people are familiar with how alcohol affects the eyes, either in themselves or in others. You may have experienced double vision or blurriness that happens with alcohol intoxication, or noticed your red, bloodshot eyes in the mirror. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse, reach out for help today.

Alcohol misuse can lead to serious health complications, impact mental well-being, and diminish overall quality of life. If you find that a night of overindulgence leads to short-term eye issues the morning after, there are a few things you can try. While these problems are usually temporary, knowing how to address them can make all the difference in turning your day around. The Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov once said, “The tongue may hide the truth but the eyes — never!

Possible long-term effects on eyes

Drunk eyes can persist for several hours after drinking, but typically improve as the body metabolizes the alcohol. During residential treatment, clients receive ongoing education about the nature of alcohol cravings and are equipped with effective strategies to manage them. Techniques might include cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and physical activities that help reduce the urge to drink. By understanding and addressing these cravings directly, we empower our clients to maintain their sobriety and mitigate the risk of relapse.

• Possible treatments include corrective lenses or glasses to correct blurred or distorted vision and use of eye drops to address bloodshot eyes.
• 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.
• For example, many people have occult eye muscle imbalances, but the sober brain can preserve crisp, single vision.
• It’s no wonder that anything powerful enough to affect our body and mind — like alcohol — will leave an imprint on something as sensitive as our eyes.
• With occasional drinking, the effects on vision typically subside once the alcohol clears your system and you sober up.
• Drink plenty of water, use lubricating eye drops, get enough rest, apply cool compresses, and wear sunglasses to protect from harsh light.

Treatments for eye-related issues with alcohol

• Excessive or chronic alcohol intake doesn’t just cause temporary irritation.
• This form of bloodshot or reddened is not a symptom of a serious underlying condition, but a factor of full-body and eye dehydration.
• Essentially, alcohol slows down motor function, including the tiny muscles that control eye movement.
• Unbeknownst to most, prolonged alcohol use can have equally permanent impacts on your eye health as physical health.

These correlations may contribute to several possible complications or effects on the eyes. The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. 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. Alcohol abuse can make it difficult for a person to control their diabetes due to causing acute elevation in blood sugar levels. Poor glycemic control may increase the chances of worsening diabetic retinopathy. An estimated 28.8 million adults ages 18 and older in the United States have AUD.12 To diagnose the condition, doctors ask a series of questions.

It can affect eye muscles and change how the brain processes images. Long-term or excessive alcohol use increases the risk of eye damage and disease. While some of the effects of alcohol on the eyes are temporary, others are serious and can be permanent. At Pathways Recovery Center, our healthcare professionals are experienced in diagnosing and addressing these serious health issues.

What are the Effects of Alcohol on the Eyes?

Many optical impacts stemming from alcohol use are a reflection of what drinking is doing to your insides. That said, here are the most common effects and impacts of alcohol on your optics. Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment.

If you experience persistent eye problems due to alcohol consumption or have experienced significant vision changes, visit an eye care practitioner immediately. The earlier eye issues are diagnosed and alcohol use is stopped, the better the long-term prognosis. “Drunk eyes” is used to describe the physical changes in the eyes that occur after alcohol consumption. These changes, such as redness, glassiness, drooping eyelids, or difficulty focusing, are common and affect individuals regardless of their tolerance level.

Take immediate action and seek medical attention and diagnosis to get to the root cause of alcohol-impacted yellowing of the eyes or skin around the eye region. Health issues related to yellow tinting around the eyes and more will be elaborated on later in this piece. The interference between the brain and the eyes causes alcohol’s risks to the eyes. Chronic alcohol use can also speed up the aging of the structures inside the eye, including the retina, lens, and optic nerve. In cases where alcohol abuse has led to neurological problems affecting the eyes, consult a neurologist. You can start with an eye doctor, like an optometrist or ophthalmologist, and they may then refer you to other specialists for further Alcoholic eyes diagnosis and treatment.

When to Seek Medical Help

When vision problems or drunk eyes persist, accompanied by any of the previously mentioned signs of alcohol misuse, it’s time to get help (if not earlier). At United Recovery Project, our team is here to help you every step of the way. We understand that taking that first step can often feel the hardest. While bloodshot eyes from alcohol are common, interestingly, alcohol doesn’t just have short-term effects on the eyes. Below, we outline both the short-term and long-term effects related to alcohol and the eyes. A person may reduce their risk of developing vision issues due to alcohol by limiting their alcohol consumption.