One of the earliest signs of alcoholic liver disease is jaundice, which is characterized as yellow eyes from drinking alcohol, and may indicate serious liver damage. Excessive alcohol consumption and heavy drinking are leading causes of alcoholic liver disease, which can lead to severe complications if left untreated. As the detoxification process takes place, a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde is produced. This is a known carcinogen and even though it is only in the body for a short time, the longer the person drinks, the more harm will occur. Conditions such as alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver disease can develop. A symptom of these conditions is yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.

Researchers at the University of Granada have discovered that ethanol “passes into the tear and disturbs the outermost layer of the tear film” upon consumption 12. A study published in PLOS One in 2017 found that “moderate doses of alcohol can change the eye movements of young adults”. Three versions of this disease (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C) are caused by viral infections.

Is it Safe to Drink With Alcoholic Hepatitis?

• As a direct result of the weakened eye muscles experienced by many alcoholics, some alcohol users have complete loss of vision 38.
• Bilirubin is a natural, yellow-colored byproduct of red-blood cell breakdown and is eliminated by the liver.
• Over time, the liver cells get damaged, leading to fatty deposits, inflammation, and scarring — all of which hinder its ability to process bilirubin.
• Instead of experiencing mild dry eye symptoms, chronic dry eye is more likely due to increased blood sugar from drinking 47.
• Though some conjunctiva issues are alcohol-related, the main causes of symptoms are infection, allergic reaction, and an irritant in the eye 52.
• Alcohol, in moderation and consumed infrequently, is not much more of a threat to the liver than other compounds or chemicals.

At the same time, the early stages of liver damage are nearly undetectable. Let’s break down the different stages and symptoms that come along with liver damage due to long-term alcohol use. Abstinence allows the liver to heal, which can reduce or eliminate the yellowing of the eyes and other symptoms of jaundice. This can lead to jaundice, where the white part of your eyes turns yellow.

• At Pathways Recovery Center, we use these symptoms as starting points to delve deeper into a person’s health status and history of substance use.
• When the liver isn’t operating efficiently, it becomes difficult to get rid of all of the built-up bilirubin.
• Impaired liver function due to alcoholic hepatitis can also cause a buildup of toxins in the body, leading to cognitive problems, confusion, and behavioral changes.
• In Arizona, 1,773 deaths from chronic liver disease/cirrhosis occurred in 2021.

No matter how long you have struggled with alcoholism, the Phoenix Rising team can help you end your use of this dangerous drug. When you get the care you need, you can build a solid foundation for a healthy, alcohol-free future. When a person drinks heavily for an extended period of time, their liver can become inflamed.

Our eyes are meant to naturally switch between dilating to let in more light and constricting to filter out light in order to help us see in different environments. However, alcohol can slow down the ability for your eyes to dilate or constrict. As a direct result of the weakened eye muscles experienced by many alcoholics, some alcohol users have complete loss of vision 38.

Steatotic Liver Disease

The filter will catch foreign metals and toxins and purify your drinking water. Over time, that filter will turn brown or grey, indicating it needs to be changed as it is too full to filter out toxins properly. The liver is essentially the same system, except there is no replacement. When scar tissue builds from constantly filtering alcohol toxins, that part of the liver will no longer be able to function.

Vision Loss

Alcohol abuse triggers this inflammation, causing the liver to swell and fail in its normal functions. If left untreated, alcoholic hepatitis can lead to severe complications and life-threatening health conditions like liver failure, fluid buildup, and, in the most extreme cases, death. It is important to remember that yellow eyes from drinking are a symptom, not a condition. This means that treatment must focus on the cause (which, in this case, is liver damage due to long-term alcohol abuse). In Arizona, 1,773 deaths from chronic liver disease/cirrhosis occurred in 2021. Pinnacle Peak Recovery has been working to educate the public on topics surrounding alcohol and substance use disorders.

Some heavy drinkers experience toxic amblyopia, which is caused by high menthol consumption 17. The 2014 study concluded that the image quality for someone who drinks heavily, is impaired, and this is particularly true with night time vision 13. Swollen blood vessels make the eyes look red, especially when contrasted with the normal white colour of the eyeball. When the blood vessels dilate due to alcohol intake, the result is that they become swollen 7. The dilated blood vessels give the eyes a red, bloodshot appearance.

The only proven way to prevent alcoholic eyes and all of the effects of alcoholism is to seek out addiction treatment as soon as possible. Over time, the liver cells get damaged, leading to fatty deposits, inflammation, and scarring — all of which hinder its ability to process bilirubin. It’s important to note that the yellow tint — harmless as it may seem at first glance — is really the liver’s cry for help. Addressing this warning sign often involves taking a break from booze to give the liver much-needed time to heal. Sometimes medical interventions to support liver recovery and manage bilirubin levels are necessary. Jaundice can often be one of the more troubling symptoms because it affects our appearance and may be far more eyes yellow after drinking noticeable to us.

Are You at Risk for Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Alcoholic jaundice eyes are a sign that your liver is struggling because of heavy drinking. Understanding why this happens can help you take steps to get better. Addiction treatment programs like the ones at The Blackberry Center are here to help you recover from the physical and emotional pain that stems from these conditions. Remember that an addiction to alcohol goes further than just physical harm. In addition to these physical signs of alcoholism, be sure to watch out for the other symptoms that come with addiction.

Professional treatment is often required to get back on track and recover from the effects of alcohol. If binge drinking or heavy drinking is a cause of concern, we can help. Rehab for alcohol use disorder usually starts with a detoxification phase.

Yellow eyes are just one of several symptoms of an inflamed liver. There are several severe symptoms that can be caused by alcoholism. Not only does alcohol affect the liver, it also affects the heart. Alcohol causes blood vessels to widen and constrict, making it difficult for the heart to regulate blood flow. The heart muscle can become stretched, making it weaker and prone to failure.

Being aware of these small symptoms can make a big difference in if you’re able to prevent permanent damage to your body. Yellow eyes, specifically related to the whites of your eyes, are also a condition that can stem from alcohol use. If someone has yellow eyes, they’ll also have a yellow tint to other parts of their body like their skin and the beds of their nails. The impaired liver functioning that can result from alcoholic hepatitis can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body. This, in turn, can cause cognitive problems, confusion, and behavioral changes. Visible symptoms include yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine, and pale stools.

Appropriate treatment could include medications and sometimes surgery, while preventive strategies emphasize abstaining from alcohol and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Women are more prone to developing serious eye conditions, including glaucoma, chronic dry eye, and cataracts, all of which can be exacerbated through heavy drinking. The most common sign of alcoholic hepatitis is yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, called jaundice. The yellowing of the skin might be harder to see on Black and brown people. Yellow eyes from alcohol, which is usually accompanied by a yellowing of the skin, is often referred to as alcohol jaundice.