Staying off the booze is good for eye health
ANDREA LAMBROU
With many people using the New Year as an opportunity to detox and go‘dry’, Specsavers in East Kilbride has revealed why this is great news for our eyes and ears.
Alcohol can play havoc with our bodies and it’s not just the hangovers we have to show for it as dehydration can also cause symptoms of dry eye.
Shirley-Ann Kennedy, store director at EK, said: “When you lose more fluid than you take in, your body becomes dehydrated.
“Our eyes can become dry and irritated and we can even start to get slightly blurred vision because there are not enough tears to lubricate the eye.
“Tears are so important as they can wash away foreign matter that might come into contact with your eye and they also help reduce the risk of eye infections.
“The best way to try and combat dry eyes is by rehydrating by drinking plenty of water.
“Your optician can also recommend eye drops that can help too.”
Our eyes aren’t the only sense that suffers.
High alcohol consumption over a long period of time, much like the festive season, can result in damage to the central auditory cortex of the brain which can then lead to brain shrinkage.
The damage to the auditory nerve then adds up, meaning even moderate drinkers are at risk.
Christine Robertson, audiology director at East Kilbride, explains: “Research has shown that heavy and even social drinking can damage the part of the brain that enables you to hear.
“So, while our actual ears may be functioning properly after consuming alcohol, the reaction on our brain can cause hearing loss.”
That is why going dry is not only great news for our livers but other parts of our body will benefit too.