Search resultsAlcohol and eye diseases: A review of epidemiologic studies
Title
Alcohol and eye diseases: A review of epidemiologic studies
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2001
Authors
Journal
Journal of Studies on Alcohol
Volume
62
Issue
3
Pagination
397 - 402
Date published
2001
ISBN
0096882X (ISSN)
Keywords
alcohol consumption, Alcohol Drinking, cataract, color vision defect, cornea curvature, diabetic retinopathy, disease association, drinking behavior, eye disease, Eye Diseases, Female, fetal alcohol syndrome, human, Humans, keratitis, nutritional deficiency, Pregnancy, retina macula age related degeneration, review, risk factor
Abstract
Objective: Epidemiologic evidence for the associations of alcohol consumption with eye diseases was gathered. Method: A literature review was conducted. Results: In addition to alcohol-induced ocular anomalies among children with fetal alcohol syndrome, epidemiologic studies in the past two decades have demonstrated that chronic alcoholism is associated with a significantly increased risk of cataract, keratitis, color vision deficiencies and corneal arcus. Moderate alcohol use, however, has been reported to be possibly protective against age-related macular degeneration, cataract and diabetic retinopathy. Conclusions: It is evident that through its biologic effects and effects on nutrient deficits alcohol plays a role in a variety of eye diseases. Information on the patient's drinking history can be clinically valuable and should be collected on a routine basis.