Alcoholic amblyopia

Introduction to alcoholic amblyopia Alcoholic amblyopia (alcoholicamblyopia), also known as nutritional amblyopia, is seen in chronic alcoholics. It is a special visual impairment in patients with chronic alcoholism. It may be related to one or more B vitamin deficiency, and may also have alcohol toxicity. The disease is a posterior optic neuritis and involves a lesion of the macular optic disc fibers. Pathologically, the bilateral symmetry optic nerve fibers were lost in the myelin sheath, the retinal ganglion cells disappeared, and the macular area was the most important. In severe cases, the optic nerve fibers could be replaced by collagen connective tissue. Because alcoholic beverages produce 7 kilocalories per gram of alcohol, and the wine does not contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients, alcoholics often show significant nutritional deficiencies. At the same time as nutritional dysfunction, the direct toxic effects of ethanol also cause further damage. Therefore, most cases can have both dystrophic and toxic effects. basic knowledge The proportion of illness: 0.001% Susceptible people: no specific population Mode of infection: non-infectious Complications: neurosis, ataxia

Alcoholic amblyopia

(1) Causes of the disease

The cause of alcoholic amblyopia is associated with one or more B vitamin deficiency; there are also alcohol toxic factors leading to optic neuropathy.

(two) pathogenesis

The disease is related to long-term drinking, and the pathogenesis is not fully understood. It is reported that it is mainly caused by lack of nutrition, especially B vitamin deficiency, which is also related to the direct toxic effect of alcohol, which causes optic nerve damage. Pathological changes can be seen on bilateral symmetrical optic nerve. The central fiber myelin sheath is lost, the retinal ganglion cells disappear, and the macular area is the most important. In severe cases, the optic nerve fibers can be replaced by collagen connective tissue.

Alcohol amblyopia prevention

Promote the harm of alcohol to the human body, improve the cultural quality of the whole nation, strictly enforce the law on minors, strictly prohibit the drinking of minors, strengthen legal supervision, attach importance to and strengthen the mental health propaganda of wine, promote civilized drinking, do not persuade alcohol, do not drink alcohol, Do not drink on an empty stomach, treat physical or mental illnesses, avoid alcohol substitutes, promote the use of beverages to replace alcohol, reduce alcohol dependence caused by occupational reasons, promote the production of low-alcohol, control and ban the production of spirits, and crack down on illegal acts of illegal counterfeiting .

Alcohol amblyopia complications Complications neurosis ataxia

In addition to the above performance, patients can be accompanied by other neurological symptoms such as ataxia, limb paralysis and tremor.

Alcoholic amblyopia symptoms Common symptoms Sudden after heavy drinking... Reading small characters and difficulty in distinguishing colors, red and green colors, unclear alcoholism, hallucinations, mental disorders, disc tilt

1. Progressive vision loss or blurred vision is the main manifestation of this disease. The decline of vision may gradually progress in weeks to months. The initial symptoms of patients are difficult to read small characters and identify colors, gradually in days to weeks. Development into visual sensitivity decline, blurred vision, generally does not develop to blind, but some patients progress rapidly, suddenly appear completely blind after a large amount of drinking, vision loss can be unilateral, can also affect both eyes, with Wearing glasses does not improve vision.

2. The central dark spot often appears in the binocular vision, mostly symmetry. The dark red is more prominent than the white visual field. The peripheral visual field is usually not tired, and the patient is unclear about the red and green colors.

3. Fundus examination can be completely normal, but those with longer course of disease can also see the pale side of the optic disc, or the optic disc shrinking.

Alcohol amblyopia examination

1. Determination of blood and urine alcohol concentration

There is a diagnosis and the significance of the degree of alcoholism.

2. Other blood tests

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

3. ECG, EEG, brain CT or MRI examination, there is a differential diagnosis and the significance of the degree of poisoning assessment.

4. Selective electromyography and neurophysiological examination have differential diagnosis significance.

Alcohol amblyopia diagnosis

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.

Attention should be paid to the differentiation of multiple sclerosis, optic neuromyelitis, and other causes of optic neuritis or fundus disease.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.