Every year, thousands of people swear off alcohol for the month of January – but why did it start?
The first official Dry January occurred in 2013, with Telegraph columnist Peter Oborne taking on the challenge. Alcohol Behaviour Change expert Richard de Visser from the University of Sussex volunteered to survey the people taking part to assess the impact of giving up alcohol for 31 days.
De Visser found that 7/10 people drank less riskily than before after taking part. Almost a quarter of the people who were drinking harmful levels of alcohol were now in the ‘low risk’ category. 1
Organisations and local authorities, including the NHS, began partnering with Alcohol Change UK to promote Dry January® in their local areas in 2014.
The issue with alcohol and eye health
Excessive alcohol consumption places strain on the body and is associated with a range of health issues – including eye health issues.
Short-term consequences
In the short term, alcohol use can cause blurred vision, bloodshot eyes and dry eyes. Alcohol is a diuretic, increasing fluid loss and causing dehydration. Dehydration leads to reduced tear production and tear film stability – which causes dry, irritated eyes. It can also create light sensitivity.
Alcohol can also lead to inflammation and blood vessel dilation which creates bloodshot eyes and possible eye strain or soreness – particularly the day after drinking. Some people may also experience eyelid twitching, which is commonly associated with fatigue, dehydration and stress.
Though often easily fixed by hydrating back to normal levels, these side effects shouldn’t be overlooked.
Long-term consequences
Long-term alcohol misused can result in serious eye problems. In rare cases, chronic heavy drinking has been linked to damage to the optic nerve. Excessive alcohol intake over a long period of time can result in deficiencies in certain vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin B12 and folate. This can result in irreversible vision loss. 2
The impact of reducing alcohol intake on the eyes
Reducing the amount of alcohol you consume gives your body a chance to recover from reversible effects such as dehydration and inflammation.
Dr Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director at Optical Express, explains how the body – including the eyes – can begin to respond when alcohol consumption is limited:
- Within 24 hours:
Alcohol can cause short-term fluctuations in blood sugar levels. This can impact the lens of the eye and lead to blurred vision – often referred to as “beer goggles”. When alcohol leaves your system and blood sugar levels stabilise, any temporary visual disturbance often begins to improve. - Within one week:
Due to alcohol being a diuretic, cutting it out can help stabilise hydration levels. Improved hydration supports healthy tear production and may ease dry eye symptoms such as irritation, blurred vision and discomfort. - Within two weeks:
Reducing alcohol intake can contribute to gradual improvements in blood pressure for some people. Maintaining healthy blood pressure over time is important for protecting the small blood vessels in the retina, helping to lower the long-term risk of conditions such as hypertensive retinopathy. - Within three to four weeks:
Periods of abstinence can allow the liver to begin recovering from alcohol-related stress, particularly in cases of mild and reversible changes. Liver health can sometimes be reflected in the eyes, and yellowing of the whites of the eyes may indicate liver dysfunction. Improvements in liver function over time may help reduce this discolouration when damage is not advanced. - Beyond four weeks:
A sustained reduction in alcohol intake can support healthier circulation and oxygen delivery throughout the body, including to the eyes. Good blood flow is important for maintaining the health of the retina and optic nerve and supporting long-term visual function.
Your overall eye health
Dry January is a good opportunity to prioritise many aspects of your health. Whether you choose to cut back permanently or not, it’s important to maintain health eye habits. Regular eye examinations play a vital role in detecting early signs of eye disease and we have the latest technology across our 130 clinics in the UK.
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