Close Menu
    Latest Edition
    FabUK Magazine Unveils Its 27th Edition Featuring Anya Taylor Joy and Announces Major Expansion Plans
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Fabuk MagazineFabuk Magazine
    • Fashion

      PSALTER 20th Anniversary Paris Fashion Show “Psalms of the Moment”

      2 October 2025

      Tifaret Debuts Evening Show at London Fashion Week with SS26 “Pai Tou” Collection

      2 October 2025

      Flair Fashion Presents IGNITE: A Global Collective of Visionaries at London Fashion Week

      2 October 2025

      INFdark SS26 Lights Up London Fashion Week with a Bold Tribute to the 1980s

      2 October 2025

      Poet-Lab SS26: Resistant When Opposites Break | A Manifesto in Fabric at London Fashion Week

      2 October 2025
    • Film

      Ferrara Film Festival Kicks Off: Co-artistic Director Claudia Conte Promises a Free and Meritocratic Festival

      22 September 2025

      A House of Dynamite Ignites the Red Carpet at Venice Film Festival

      3 September 2025

      Stars at Venice: “Father Mother Sister Brother” Red Carpet Captivates at 82nd Film Festival

      2 September 2025

      Red Carpet for The Wizard of the Kremlin at Venice International Film Festival

      1 September 2025

      Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Goth & Waltz Lead a Starry Frankenstein Premiere

      31 August 2025
    • Music

      GLORIA ESTEFAN & NATHY PELUSO UNITE FOR ELECTRIFYING “CHIRRIQUI CHIRRI” REMIX

      26 September 2025

      RITA ORA UNVEILS SULTRY NEW SINGLE “ALL NATURAL” ALONGSIDE ACCOMPANYING MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTED BY TAIKA WAITITI

      25 September 2025

      Andrei Irimia Brings ‘Lights & Shadows’ to Paris and Beyond

      25 September 2025

      Global Superstar Rauw Alejandro Reveals 26 September Release Date For New Album And Teases Tracklist

      17 September 2025

      Mimi Webb releases second album ‘Confessions’

      12 September 2025
    • Travel

      Six Ways to See the World: Which Travel Personality Are You?

      1 October 2025

      Why Portugal is the Perfect Destination for a Summer Getaway

      19 June 2025

      Top 5 Euro Destinations You Can’t Miss in 2025

      23 May 2025

      CRETE’S ELE VILLAS CELEBRATES FIRST SUMMER SEASON WITH SPECIAL OFFER

      15 April 2025

      Embracing Solitude in Nature: A Spring Guide to Solo Camping in Japan

      14 April 2025
    • Store
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Fabuk MagazineFabuk Magazine
    You are at:Home»Blog»What happens to your eyes when you stop drinking alcohol
    Blog

    What happens to your eyes when you stop drinking alcohol

    16 January 20185 Mins Read
    WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Threads Copy Link Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Threads Copy Link Email

    BRITS taking part in Dry January this year will reap more than just the financial benefits. Health experts at Optical Express have revealed how staying off the booze in the new year can greatly impact eye health.

    What happens to your eyes when you stop drinking alcohol
    Photo by Harry Quan on Unsplash

    Last year alone, Dry January saw 1 in 6 (16%) Brits attempt to ditch the drink* to help combat the effects of an over indulgent festive period. Although it’s no secret that drinking to excess puts the body under strain and can lead to serious health implications, many are unaware their eyes could be at risk.

    Binge drinking can cause a number of problems with eye health, including symptoms associated with Dry Eye. These include swollen blood vessels in the eyes which can give a bloodshot look, itchiness, irritation and fluctuation in vision. Associated swelling or inflammation can also cause a twitching of the eyelid and an increased sensitivity to light. Although these are only minor issues, long term alcohol abuse can actually permanently damage the optic nerves, which are responsible for sending visual information from the eyes to the brain.

    Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director at Optical Express, supports cutting down alcohol consumption in the new year to encourage better eye health, stating: “As well as the more commonly known pros of Dry January i.e. weight loss, better sleep and saving money, there are a whole host of benefits to your eyes and overall eye health.

    “Cutting out alcohol as part of Dry January will allow your body to reverse and put the brakes on many of the short and long-term effects of drinking. For example, after just 24 hours of no alcohol, your blood sugar levels will normalise and blurred vision caused by alcohol intake will disappear.

    “The longer you abstain you may also notice your eyes become brighter and whiter, as your body counteracts damage/yellowing of the sclera – the white part of your eye. Plus, your circulation will be improved meaning your eyes receive oxygen and nutrients to prevent disease and damage, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.”

     

    “We recommend any person concerned about their vision or any eye symptom undergo an eye examination at their earliest opportunity.”

    DRY JANUARY – TIMELINE

    The following explains how your body reacts and recovers from an alcohol-filled festive season.

     

    Period

     

     

     

     

    Effects

    Within 24 hours Drinking alcohol increases blood sugar levels which can lead to blurred vision, as it causes the eye lens swells reducing your ability to see. After 24 hours of no alcohol your blood sugar levels will normalise and any vision impairment will return to normal, banishing beer goggles.
    Within a week After a heavy drinking session or successive days drinking, your body will be dehydrated as alcohol is a diuretic, which means that you lose fluid through sweating and of course those frequent toilet visits. Following a week abstaining from alcohol your body will reverse the effects of dehydration and normal hydration levels will be maintained, as long as you drink water frequently throughout the day.

    Undoing the effects of dehydration will also correct the problem of dry eye, which occurs when there aren’t enough tears to hydrate the eye ball. Dry eye typically causes irritation and blurred vision, and can increase risk of infections.

    Within 2 weeks Two weeks after cutting alcohol from your lifestyle, you blood pressure will also start to lower and normalise. You may also notice a slight weight loss as you cut out the empty calories, this will also contribute to lowering your blood pressure.

    Reducing high blood pressure can ease hypertension, and hypertensive retinopathy, which causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the area at the back of the eye that allows you to focus images.

    Within 3 – 4 weeks Getting closer to the end of Dry January you will start to benefit from a healthier liver, as it sheds excess fat and full function is restored following your abstinence. Your liver health is reflected through the condition of your eyes, with the old adage of your eyes being the window to your soul actually being true.

    The white part of your eye, the sclera can yellow if there is liver damage from years of drinking, it can also be a sign of liver disease. The yellowing is caused by a build-up of old red blood cells which aren’t removed by the liver.

    Within a month Following your month off alcohol your body’s red blood cells will have begun to renew resulting in better blood flow and oxygen supply to your organs, and of course eyes. Good circulation is important to maintaining good eye health as it means that they are receiving a frequent oxygen and nutrients to prevent disease and damage, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
    alcohol and eyes alcohol effects alcohol effects on eyes blood sugar BRITS DRY JANUARY no alcohol Optical Express Stephen Hannan

    Related Posts

    3 Mins Read

    3 Essential Factors to Think About Before Making the Purchase of a Gold Bracelet as a Gift

    2 October 2025 Blog
    3 Mins Read

    Your Guide to a Polished Professional Look

    1 October 2025 Blog
    4 Mins Read

    The Challenges of Copyright and AI Music

    30 September 2025 Blog
    3 Mins Read

    The Collector’s Guide to Pre-Owned Watches: What to Look For and Why

    24 September 2025 Blog
    Latest Edition
    FabUK Magazine Unveils Its 27th Edition Featuring Anya Taylor Joy and Announces Major Expansion Plans
    Blog
    3 Essential Factors to Think About Before Making the Purchase of a Gold Bracelet as a Gift
    2 October 20253 Mins Read
    Blog
    Your Guide to a Polished Professional Look
    1 October 20253 Mins Read
    Blog
    The Challenges of Copyright and AI Music
    30 September 20254 Mins Read
    Blog
    The Collector’s Guide to Pre-Owned Watches: What to Look For and Why
    24 September 20253 Mins Read
    Fabuk Magazine
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Pinterest
    • How to get FabUK
    © 2015 - 2025 All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.