[Microcirculation in alcoholics]

Conjunctival biomicroscopy was used to examine microcirculation in 221 males suffering from alcoholism. The control group consisted of 73 practically healthy males. Marked perivascular, vascular, and intravascular changes were revealed in the terminal blood flow system in all the alcoholics; these changes were found to progress, as the disease became graver. After 1.5- to 2-month antialcoholic treatment a distinct improvement of only perivascular disturbances was noted. Quantitative assessment of the microcirculation using the conjunctival indices can be taken for an additional criterion of diagnosis and specification of the alcoholism stage.