EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL IN THE EYE

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EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL IN THE EYE

INTRODUCTION

Alcohol according to the oxford advanced learners Engish dictionary (A.S Hornby, 2010) are drinks such as beer, wine etc. That can make people drunk OR the clear liquid that is found in drinks such as beer, wine etc, and is used in medicine. NIDA notes 2015 showed the process through which alcohol is manufactured i.e through the fermentation of yeast, sugar and starches. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant which is rapidly absorbed from tha stomoach and small intestine into the blood stream. The standard alcoholic drink equals 0.6 ounce of pure ethanol, or 12 ounces of beer, 8 ounces of malt liquor, 15 ounces of wine or1.5 ounces (a short) of 80 proof distilled spirits or liquor (e.g gin, rum, vodka or whiskey).
            Approximately 20% of alcohol consumed is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream and the rest by the gastro intestinal tract. This is according to Rehab 2015. All membranes in the body are highly permeable to alcohol which explains the rapid absorption. The speed at which a person blood alcohol level rises and he effects it has on the individuals vary due to the weight, age gender, body composition, general health of the person, the presence of other drugs or medication etc. These effects can be classified as short and long term depending on the duration and quantity consumed. Alcohol takes a toll on our looks and bodies. It plays havoc with the skin and sustained consumption could even cause blindness. Alcohol ages you.
            The eye can see clearly when parts of the eye and the body including the brain is normal but when there is a problem in the eye or brain or both, it will affect vision. Because of the importance of the eye to human beings and because of the bad effects of alcohol to the body, I decided to research on the effects of alcohol on the eye.

LITERATURE REVIEW

THE MEANING OF ALCOHOL AND ITS LEGAL LIMITS:

NIDA (2015) Stated that ethyl alcohol or ethanol s an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine and liquor and is produce by the fermentation of yeast, sugar and starches.
            According to Webster Revised Unabridged Dictionary, (author:  Mearrian & Co) Alcohol is an impalpable  powder or the fluid essence or pure spirit.
            Hornby, A S 2010 noted that alcohol are drinks such as beer, wine etc, that can make people drunk and are used in medicines, cleaning products etc.
            Alcohol is a CNS depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the stomoach and blood intestine into the blood stream (NIDA notes 2014)
            The Division of Population Heath, National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in a paper published by Atlanta G.A in November 16, 2015 stated thus : the legal limits for drinking is the alcohol level above which an individual is subject to legal penalties. Legal limits are measured using either a blood alcohol test or a breathalyzer. Legal limits are typically defined by state law, and may vary based on individual characteristics such as age and occupation. All states in the US have adopted 0.05 percent (80mg per dl) as the legal limits for operating a motor vehicle for drivers aged 21yrs and above. Those younger than 21 are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle with any level of alcohol in their system.

REASONS FOR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

 Laura Stampler at Larastampler in December 4 2013 stated the reason for drinking alcohol which includes:
v  Many Doctors recommend it to lower the risk of heart disease
v  It makes people warm
v  BMC medicine says that a glass of wine a day could reduce depression
v  To remove fear
M. Farouk Redwan, 2014 stated the psychology of drinking which include:
v  Mood regulation
School of Public Health (2011) established that:
v  Curiosity is still a prevalent reason for alcohol consumption
Sharon (2011) said ‘Doctors prescribed it as anti-anxiety medication
According to Rehab in 19th January, 2011, People drink alcohol:
v  For the effects that alcohol has on the central nervous system – depressant and stimulant; feeling of euphoria; dis-orientation or a pleasurable release of tension
v  Because they see it modelled by others
v  As a reaction to the social environment to be part of it.

SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF DRINKING ALCOHOL IN THE EYE

In January 2014, researchers in Australia found that drinking the legal limits of v greatly affect the ability to adjust vision for brightness and contrast by 30%. The study conducted at Western University’s Faculty of Social Sciences, used the Hermann Grid to understand how alcohol affects the perception of contrast. The Hermann Grid is a grid of black squares on a white background. Ghost like dark spots appear at the intersections of the grid but are not actually there. According to researchers it is the way our visual system processes contrast differently that creates this illusion. The researchers were able to show that the apparent contrast of the illusory spots in the grid is reduced by 30%.
            Cooper vision in 2015 published that consumption of alcohol below the blood level could cause blurring of vision, distorted vision, slower pupil reaction, decrease contrast sensitivity, eye twitching and dry eye. Findings from a study by the Hallyn University College of Medicine suggest that consuming even a small amount of alcohol can increase and exacerbate symptoms of dry eye.

 

LONG TERM DAMAGE TO THE EYE CAUSED BY ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

 On Tuesday 15th November, 2015, Alexander Tonides published that repeated episodes of heavy drinking puts significant strain on the liver and just as the eye is associated with many organs of the body, heavy drinkers will be more prone to eye conditions and declining eye site.
            Cooper Vision in 2015 published:
v  Multiple studies have shown increase cataract formation in patients with higher alcohol consumption.
v  Optometric Association identifies excessive alcohol intake as a risk factor for age related macular degeneration.
v  Vitamin D deficiency due to alcohol consumption can cause a weakness or paralysis of eye muscles.
v  Vitamin A deficiency due to alcohol consumption could cause night blindness
v  Tobacco – Alcohol – Amblyopia
Drinking too much alcohol can make you age at a faster pace says Dermatologists Dr. Rickson Perreira.
According to a review by the Emory University school of Medicine, many eye problems are associated with foetal alcohol syndrome.

 

HOW TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL IN THE EYES

            Giving up alcohol entirely may be difficult. The good news is that these negative vision related side effects can be prevented without giving up alcohol entirely. This is according to Alexander Tonides a consultant ophthalmologist, they include:
v  Drinking occasionally
v  Care should be taken not to drink on an empty stomach
v  Drinking of water in-between alcoholic drink to prevent being drunk is recommended.
v  Having knowledge of the percentage of alcohol contained  in alcoholic drinks before consumption is vital.
v  Our bodies are all different meaning our reaction to alcohol also be extremely varied but it is wise to always consider recommended units of alcohol. For men not more than four units in one day and 21 units per week. For women, three units per day and 14 units per week.
According to a publication by Cooper Vision in 2015, For those suffering from the long term effect, an appointment with their eye doctor is urgently needed.

REFERENCE

 
Alexander Larry J.OD, Primary care of the posterior segment 3rd Edition.
Alexander Tonides September 2015 “Beer google” effects on vision
www.independent.co.uk>lifestyle>healthandfamilies>features

Hornby, As 2010 Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary 8th Edition Oxford University press Oxford New York.
2014 M. Farouk Radwan Msc. Psychology of drinking  www.2knowmyself.com/whydopeople-d
Newsfeed.time.com/2013/12/04/80-rear
Hiratsuka T, etal. J stud Alcohol
Alexander Tonides Bsc FRCO phth MO consultant Ophtamology

Rebuild your vision, LLC 14241 NE Woodinville – Duvall Road 398 woodinville , WA 98022
How alcohol Affects your eyes.
Alcohol (noun) an impalpable provides or the fluid essence or pure spirit
Author- Merrian & and Co 2015 Webster Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) Edited by Noah Porter providal
By Patrick cascidy of the ARTFL project 5720 south Woodlawn Chicago, Illinois the University of Chicago
The legal limit is any number below .08 in All states of US By Rich Stim
Jimmy Wales Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Rehab 2015 Addiction blog.com
By Troy Bedinghaus, OD; Vision Expert About.com How drinking alcohol affects your eyes.
Alexander, Larry J, OD. Primary care of the posterior segment, Third Edition. Mc graw Hill, 2002
Do you know the Harm Too much Alcohol can do?
ImproveEyessightHill.com
School of public Health why do people drink alcohol
Laura stampler at Larastampler December 4, 2013
Newsfeed.time.com/2013/12/04/80




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