What Is an Alcohol Screening?

Alcoholic amblyopia, also known as nutritional amblyopia, toxic amblyopia in tobacco and alcohol, is found in chronic alcoholics, is a special type of visual impairment in patients with chronic alcoholism, only affects the optic nerve. The disease is a retrobulbar optic neuritis and a lesion involving macular optic disc fibers. Pathological findings showed that the bilateral symmetrical optic nerve center had myelin loss, retinal ganglion cells disappeared, and the macular area was the most severe. In severe cases, the optic nerve fibers can be replaced by collagen connective tissue.

Basic Information

nickname

Nutritional amblyopia, toxic amblyopia in tobacco and alcohol

Visiting department

Ophthalmology

Multiple groups

Chronic alcoholics

Common locations

Optic nerve

Common causes

Associated with deficiency of one or more B vitamins, or optic neuropathy due to alcohol toxicity

Common symptoms

Progressive vision loss or blurred vision, often with central dark spots in the visual field of both eyes

Causes of alcoholic amblyopia

The cause of alcoholic amblyopia is related to the deficiency of one or more B vitamins; there are also factors of alcohol toxicity that cause optic neuropathy.

Clinical manifestations of alcoholic amblyopia

1. Progressive vision loss or blurred vision

Is the main manifestation of the disease. Vision loss may gradually progress over the course of weeks to months. The initial symptoms of patients are difficulty to read small print and color recognition, which gradually develops a decrease in visual sensitivity within a few days to a few weeks, blurred vision, and generally does not develop into full blindness, but some patients progress rapidly, after a large amount of alcohol Sudden disappearance of complete blindness. Patients often cannot distinguish between red and green colors, have difficulty reading, and fundus examination is sometimes completely normal. Loss of vision can be unilateral or it can affect both eyes. Wearing glasses does not improve vision.

2. Central dark spots often appear in binocular vision

Most of them are symmetrical, and the red and green are more prominent than the dark spots in the white field of view. The peripheral visual field is usually not affected, and patients cannot distinguish between red and green colors.

3. Fundus examination

It can be completely normal, but for those with a longer course, the optic disc is pale, or the optic disc is atrophied.

Alcoholic amblyopia

1. Determination of blood and urine alcohol concentration

Significant for diagnosis and assessment of alcoholism.

2. Other blood tests

Including blood biochemistry, liver function, kidney function, coagulation function and immunoglobulin.

3. ECG, EEG, CT or MRI of the brain

It has significance in differential diagnosis and assessment of poisoning.

4. Selective electromyography and neuroelectrophysiology

Differential diagnostic significance.

Diagnosis of alcoholic amblyopia

According to the patient's long-term or heavy drinking history, combined with the typical clinical manifestations of progressive vision loss or blurred vision, the general diagnosis is not difficult.

Treatment of alcoholic amblyopia

The main treatment measures are to limit alcohol consumption, supplement vitamin B1 and other B vitamins, and improve nutrition and supplement other trace elements. Patients' vision can gradually improve. However, if you continue to drink alcohol, your vision may continue to decline, and even blindness may occur.

Prevention of alcoholic amblyopia

Promote the harm of alcohol to the human body, improve the cultural quality of the entire nation, strictly enforce the law on minors, strictly prohibit minors from drinking, and strengthen legal supervision. Attach importance to and strengthen the mental health propaganda of alcohol, promote civilized drinking, do not persuade, do not drink, do not drink on an empty stomach, treat physical or mental illness, and avoid using alcohol instead of medicine. Promote the use of beverages instead of alcohol to reduce alcohol dependence caused by occupational reasons.