alcohol

[futbolplayer1]

Im not sure what this indicates but ill explain. Ive avoided drinking for the past 4-5 months (im a college student) because I heard it can aggrevate your eyes. I have a case of blepharitis and slight dry eye, so I figured it was best to stay away. Last night, all my friends from school were in and I drank 5 beers with them. A little after drinking, My eyes became extremely irritated. I wouldn't go as far as saying dry, just very scratchy. I stopped drinking at this point, and about an hour later it went away. What does it indicate? Why does this happen? Could it possibly indicate a wheat allergy?

[liz56]

It may not be alcohol.

futbolplayer1,

I have a friend who loves microbrews and good beers, and he has a severe hop allergy. He has beers, anyway, but his eyes tear and run the whole time.

Did you notice any tearing?

--Liz

[futbolplayer1]

no, just a lot of scractchiness and some blurryness of vision.

[bernmee]

I know that alcohol dehydrates the body, and I avoid it so my body stays hydrated and by default my eyes stays hydrated.

It seems strange though that your eyes would stop feeling irritated when you stop drinking, when the alcohol would still be in your body...unless its the fumes from the alcoloh evaporating into your eyes...though that also seems a little strange.

How about holding a beer under your eyes without drinking it and seeing if anything happens....or would it have anything to do with the place you were drinking such as people smoking that irriated your eyes.

I have no answers for you I'm afraid

[futbolplayer1]

the place was just one of my friend's houses and I have hung out there with no problems before. There was no smoke in the environment. It definitely got worse as I had more alcohol in my system, then gradually faded off when I stopped drinking. I don't think alcohol is the problem allergy wise, but rather something that aggrevates the condition. I remember I used to use a shampoo that I was not allergic to, but it seemed to aggrevate my eyes, so I stopped using it. I guess I will just have to hold off on drinking to my eyes are better.

[Mcgoldilocks]

I have a terrible reaction to alcohol, which I think is because of the dehydration it causes - alternating every alcoholic drink with water seems to help.

[alisonW]

Alcohol...

is a trigger for many people with ocular and/or facial rosacea. Perhaps you have ocular rosacea? (For me, alcoholic beverages, flourescent lighting, stress, & smoke are the worst triggers.) Unfortunately, the only way to avoid a flare in your eyes is to avoid it/your triggers.

[futbolplayer1]

I have not been diagnosed with ocular rosacea but in all honesty, maybe that is what I have. Im getting a second opinion on wednesday, so well see wut the doctor says. Smoke does seem to aggrevate my eyelids, but defintely doesn't make them flare like alcohol

[beesbythc]

beer and dry eyes

hi. i also suffer badly when i have a drink but only drink wine.
i think it is dehydration and water between drinks can help, only i dont drink more than 2 glasses.some-times it doesnt matter if i dont have water so who knows?

[Blueyes]

I have mostly allergy, but also a mild ocular rosacea. Red wine and beer definitely makes my eyes far worse... Only white wine with tons of water does not affect me (up to a certain amount).

is a trigger for many people with ocular and/or facial rosacea. Perhaps you have ocular rosacea? (For me, alcoholic beverages, flourescent lighting, stress, & smoke are the worst triggers.) Unfortunately, the only way to avoid a flare in your eyes is to avoid it/your triggers.

[futbolplayer1]

very intesting... I went to a friend house tonight where there was a lot of drinking. I did not drink but minutes after walking into the house, my eyes became very irritated. how can the fumes from beer be irritating my eyes? I dont get it. Im fine now that I am out of that environment