“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.
Unlike other signs of intoxication, eye changes are harder to conceal. They can linger even after your speech returns to normal or behavior seems controlled, making them one of the most visible indicators of alcohol use.
In this article, we take a closer look at drunk eyes vs normal eyes. We also dig into how alcohol affects vision and why this happens.
How Alcohol Affects the Eyes
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.
Short-Term Effects
Inevitably, signs of being drunk may include bloodshot and glassy eyes. But beyond glassy eyes from drinking, you may also experience droopy eyelids or a delayed pupil response. This happens because alcohol depresses the central nervous system, which slows down muscle coordination and impairs the brain’s ability to control eye movement and response times.
Long-Term Effects
Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to various health problems, including ones involving the eyes. The effects of alcohol on the eyes can lead to:
- Vision issues
- Damage to optic nerves
- Increased risk of eye disease
While this may be surprising, it happens due to the interference long-term alcohol use has on various systems within the body. Using alcohol in the long term can damage blood vessels in the eyes, disrupt the communication between the brain and optic nerves, and deplete essential nutrients like vitamin B1 (thiamine), which is critical for eye and nerve health. Over time, this can ultimately lead to lasting vision problems and an increased risk of conditions such as optic neuropathy and macular degeneration.
Drunk Eyes vs Normal Eyes: Key Differences
Alcohol affects your eyes in many noticeable ways. With each drink, your eyes may look different, move more slowly, or respond less to light. These changes can help you, and others, spot the signs of intoxication early.
Visual Appearance
As anyone who has consumed alcohol knows, it can quickly change the visual appearance of your eyes. As mentioned previously, the eyes may appear red or bloodshot due to the tiny vessels in the eyes becoming dilated.
The eyes can also appear glassy due to alcohol’s impacts on the tear film in the eyes. As mentioned before, as well, the eyes can become droopy and puffy, and you may look more “sleepy” because of this.
Movement and Reaction
Normal eyes track objects smoothly and respond quickly to visual cues. In contrast, drunk eyes struggle with these normal movements, indicating noticeable intoxication. So, what’s happening here?
Essentially, alcohol slows down motor function, including the tiny muscles that control eye movement. It can further be challenging to focus on objects or scenes in front of you, requiring more effort and attention.
Pupil Size and Light Sensitivity
Alcohol also disrupts your pupils’ ability to adjust to lighting changes. Normal pupils react instantly, expanding in darkness and contracting in brightness. Yet, drunk pupils respond slowly or may fail to adjust altogether.
When drinking, pupils often dilate beyond their normal size. And they remain enlarged even in bright conditions where they should contract. And this is why, when you drink, you might notice you’re much more sensitive to bright lights. Again, this can create issues with your vision and reaction times.
What These Eye Changes Could Indicate
Eye changes can further indicate a deeper pattern of alcohol misuse. For instance, different intoxication levels give way to differing eye changes.
Essentially, your eyes progressively change as blood alcohol concentration rises. Early intoxication (0.05-0.08 BAC) signs may include:
- Mild eye redness and slight glassiness
- Slower but still functional eye tracking
- Pupils responding normally but leisurely
- Occasional difficulty maintaining focus
Meanwhile, moderate intoxication (0.08-0.15 BAC) often creates more obvious changes, such as:
- Pronounced bloodshot appearance and glassy sheen
- Jerky eye movements and delayed reactions
- Dilated pupils with sluggish light response
- Frequent squinting and focus problems
Severe intoxication (above 0.15 BAC) may involve:
- Extreme redness
- An inability to track movement with your eyes smoothly
- Fixed and dilated pupils barely responding to light
- Involuntary eye rolling or closing
When these changes persist even during sober periods, they may point to alcohol dependence. Chronic redness, yellowing of the whites (linked to liver strain), dark under-eye circles, and a generally tired or aged appearance can indicate long-term damage.
Lastly, eye changes could be indicative of combined substance use. It may suggest someone is combining alcohol with stimulants, depressants, or other drugs. This combination can be increasingly risky, leading to an overdose and other health issues.
When to Be Concerned
Occasional drunk eyes after social drinking is rarely a cause for alarm. However, an issue may be subtly emerging if you notice:
- A frequent appearance of drunk eyes
- Vision changes that persist
- Co-occurring symptoms of alcohol misuse:
- Tremors
- Nausea and/or stomach problems
- Rapid weight loss or gain
- Drinking alone more frequently
- Neglect of responsibilities
- Increased anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
If you notice the above signs, it might be time to be honest with yourself or a loved one. There’s no shame in reaching out for help. In fact, it’s one of the bravest things you can do.
Getting Help for Alcohol Misuse
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. But you don’t have to do this alone.
Our comprehensive treatment approach ensures you get the support you need, from detox to continued care involving therapy and other treatment options. If you or someone you love shows frequent signs of intoxication, including changes in the eyes, it may be time to get help. United Recovery Project is here to support your recovery journey. Call us at 888-960-5121 for more information.
