Alcohol and Eye Diseases

Alcohol consumption is a modifiable lifestyle factor, but there is uncertainty regarding its association with eye diseases in adults. A relationship between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of cataract has been reported from cross-sectional studies, but several prospective cohort studies have not found this association. Prospective population-based study findings suggest that heavy alcohol consumption is weakly related to an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration. Reports of an association of alcohol consumption and diabetic retinopathy have been limited mainly to cross-sectional data. There is little evidence of an association between alcohol consumption and glaucoma, and findings of association between alcohol consumption and increased intraocular pressure have been inconsistent. This review shows there is no consistent evidence supporting a major role of moderate alcohol consumption in the development or progression of common eye diseases. The effect of heavy alcohol consumption on different ocular conditions needs to be clarified, although heavy consumption of alcohol has significant detrimental social, mental, and medical consequences.