Alcohol Impairs Night Vision

Alcohol not only¬†impairs¬†coordination and¬†driving ability, it actually impairs night vision as well. The perception of halos and other nighttime related visual disturbances is increased when alcohol is consumed. The ethanol in an alcoholic drink passes into the tear and disrupts the lipid layer, which then increases the evaporation of the aqueous part of the tear. This causes the quality of the image that forms in the retina to deteriorate. This deteriorated vision is greatly increased in people who have an alcohol content that exceeds the legal driving limit. The combination of impaired night vision along with impaired motor skills make¬†drinking and driving an especially¬†deadly combination.*