The researchers reported, “ethanol from alcoholic drinks passes into the tear and disturbs the outermost layer of the tear-film – the lipid layer – facilitating the evaporation of the aqueous part of the tear. In an eye with a deteriorated tear-film, the quality of the image that forms in the retina also deteriorates”.
The authors reported that “following alcohol consumption, the perception of halos and other night-time visual disturbances increases and the optical quality of the image the eye produces deteriorates. This is more marked in subjects with a breath alcohol content level over the legal limit for driving, that is, in excess of 0.25mg/l” (the legal limit recommended by the World Health Organisation).
“This research offers results of value to society and public healthcare, especially in relation to night-time driving. Alcohol consumption and low-illumination conditions are factors present in many traffic accidents…under these conditions, the perception of visual halos can make it difficult for drivers to see a pedestrian crossing the road, to distinguish a traffic sign, or they could be dazzled in some way by the headlights of another car coming towards them.”
