EFFECTS OF CHRONIC

ALCOHOLISM ON EYE

What is an Alcohol?

In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxyl functional group (-OH) is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms.

A chronic condition is a human health condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects.

The term chronic is usually applied when the course of the disease lasts for more than three months.

Chronic diseases constitute a major cause of mortality and the World Health Organization (WHO) reports chronic non-communicable conditions to be by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 35 million deaths in 2005 and over 60% of all deaths

CHRONIC

Alcoholism is a broad term for

problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing.

It is medically considered a disease, specifically an addictive illness, and in psychiatry several other terms are used, specifically "alcohol abuse" and "alcohol dependence," which have slightly different definitions.

ALCOHOLISM

CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM

“CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM” is defined as LONG TERM ADDICTION to Alcohol.

There is no doubt as to the serious

medical complications caused by alcoholism.

Alcoholism is currently listed as the third leading cause of death in our society. Many alcohol related deaths go unreported, however, leading many professionals to believe that alcoholism is probably the number one killer. For example, cirrhosis of the liver (most commonly associated with alcoholism) is one of the top ten leading cause of death by itself.

Often, if the cause of death is failure of a body organ or system, the role alcohol played is not considered.

IT’S EFFECTS

Although light

consumption of alcohol probably won't cause any health problems, drinking alcohol excessively can have harmful effects on your body, including your eyes. Heavy drinking of alcohol may cause problems with your vision and overall eye health including the following :-

EFFECTS ON EYES

Decreased visual

performance Slow pupil reactions Decreased peripheral vision Decreased contrast

sensitivity Optic neuropathy Frequent migraines Poor cosmetic appearance

EFFECTS

Your overall visual performance may be altered since drinking heavily impairs brain function. You may have blurred vision or double vision due to weakened eye muscle coordination. You may also experience delayed reactions while driving.

Decreased visual performance

Alcohol tends to affect the speed at which your iris constricts and dilates. A driver that has been drinking alcohol cannot adapt as quickly to oncoming headlights.

Slow pupil reactions

Drinking alcohol has also been shown to decrease the sensitivity of your peripheral vision. This may give you the effect or perception of having tunnel vision.

Decreased peripheral vision

: Drinking too much alcohol can alter your

contrast sensitivity, or how precise you can discern between shades of gray. Driving in rain or fog will be much more dangerous.

Decreased contrast sensitivity

Also referred to as tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, people who drink or smoke in excess can develop optic neuropathy. You might develop a painless loss of vision, decreased peripheral vision or reduced color vision. Even though studies have shown the vision loss to be a result of a nutritional deficiency, some professionals believe that the condition develops because of toxic effects of alcohol and tobacco.

Optic Neuropathy

Alcohol has been shown to be a trigger for severe migraine headaches in some people. You may experience a temporary, but debilitating visual aura before the onset of the headache. The visual aura may appear as blind spots, graying of vision or zig-zag patterns of light.

Frequent migraines