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Visual function and psychological variables in alcohol dependency syndrome
Ilda Maria Poças1,2, Ana Grilo3,4, Pedro Lino5
1Specialist Orthoptist, MSc in Rehabilitation specialty in Visual Impairment, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal.
Strabismus
|April 23, 2021
Summary
Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) significantly impacts visual functions like acuity and contrast sensitivity in both consumers and abstainers. Psychological distress, particularly depression and paranoia, also differs between consumer and abstainer groups.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology and Vision Science
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) is characterized by excessive alcohol consumption leading to psychological, physical, social, and economic issues.
- Alcohol intake negatively affects motor, proprioceptive, and cognitive functions, including attention.
- Visual function deficits are common but not fully characterized in ADS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate visual function, attention, and psychological profiles in patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome.
- To compare these functions between alcohol consumers and abstainers within the ADS group.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 176 ADS patients (121 consumers, 55 abstainers).
- Visual function assessed using an 11-test orthoptic examination protocol.
- Psychological status evaluated using the Portuguese version of the Brief Symptom Inventory.
Main Results:
- Visual acuity (80.39%), contrast sensitivity (67.50%), and stereopsis (62.75%) were notably affected.
- Both consumer and abstainer groups showed visual function impairments.
- Consumers reported higher depression and paranoia scores; abstainers reported higher obsession scores, with significant differences in depression and paranoid ideation between groups.
Conclusions:
- Visual function deficits, including acuity, contrast sensitivity, and stereopsis, are prevalent in ADS patients.
- Psychopathological differences exist between consumers and abstainers.
- Rehabilitation programs for ADS should integrate assessments of visual function, attention, and psychological status.
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