The effect of alcohol on the visual and ocular motor systems

Alcohol is generally considered to be a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This effect is progressive from higher cortical centres through to fundamental body functions. The effect of alcohol ingestion on the visual and ocular motor systems of ten healthy subjects was the basis of this study. Significant changes in the following resulted from the ingestion of 0.375 g/kg of 10% ethanol alcohol: prism measurements of deviations for near and distance, ocular movements, convergence near point, and visual acuity at six metres. No significant change was observed following testing of stereopsis or near visual acuity.