Alcohol and Macular Degeneration: Does Drinking Affect Your Vision?

Medically reviewed by Paul B. Griggs, M.D.

Written by Joan Grossman

Posted on August 18, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Drinking alcohol is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of severe vision loss in people aged 50 and older.

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Drinking alcohol is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of severe vision loss in people aged 50 years and above. Research shows that drinking may increase the risk of developing AMD and contribute to disease progression in some people.

“I do have a question about whether it is safe to drink a glass of wine occasionally with my current eye condition and treatment,” a myAMDteam member shared.

If you drink alcohol and have AMD, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your individual risk factors and whether you should limit your alcohol intake. Here’s what to know.

🗳️ Have you reduced your alcohol consumption since being diagnosed with AMD?

Yes.

No.

I didn’t drink/rarely drank before my diagnosis.

Something else/other.

How Does Drinking Alcohol Increase the Risk of AMD?

Researchers don’t fully understand how drinking alcohol may affect AMD or increase the risk of developing the condition. One theory is that alcohol may cause oxidative stress in the eye’s retina.

In AMD, a part of the retina called the macula is damaged. The macula controls detailed vision and central vision. Over time, people with AMD may experience central vision loss.

Oxidative stress occurs when unstable molecules — also known as free radicals — are out of balance with molecules known as antioxidants. Oxidative stress due to too many free radicals in the body can cause damage to cells.

Researchers believe that environmental factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking and other forms of tobacco use, pollution, sun exposure, and emotional stress can cause oxidative stress in the body. On the other hand, antioxidants help support healthy cells.

Antioxidants, which are found in many plant-based foods, are especially healthy for the eyes. For this reason, a particular blend of vitamin and mineral supplements that are high in antioxidants — AREDS 2 — are a treatment option for early and intermediate AMD. Along with a healthy diet, these supplements may help slow disease progression and prevent advanced AMD.

Drinking and Disease Progression in AMD

Research on alcohol consumption and AMD disease progression has pointed to different findings based on sex, stage of disease, and amount of alcohol consumed.

The Risk of Developing AMD

A 2021 review of several studies found that moderate to heavy drinking was associated with an increased risk of developing early AMD. The study found that a person’s risk increased by 14 percent with every 10 grams of alcohol consumed each day. That’s the equivalent of just under a half ounce of alcohol.

Alcohol and the Risk of Progression to Late AMD

Research has shown complicated connections between drinking alcohol and disease progression to late AMD. The study mentioned above didn’t find a link between drinking alcohol and developing late AMD (advanced stage).

However, the researchers stated that the study may have been limited. They noted that many people with early or intermediate AMD were likely to quit drinking in order to avoid risks that could lead to disease progression. This would mean that fewer people with late-stage AMD were active drinkers of alcohol.

Alcohol May Affect AMD Progression in Women and Men Differently

It’s important to note that not every study has found a connection between alcohol and AMD progression.

For example, a 2025 study didn’t find that drinking small amounts of alcohol was associated with disease progression. However, the study did find that alcohol may affect men with AMD differently than women with AMD.

Men who consumed modest amounts of alcohol actually had a lower risk of developing late AMD. Women with AMD were not found to be significantly affected by alcohol — either positively or negatively.

In men, both zero consumption and high consumption of alcohol were found to increase the speed of disease progression by as much as 40 percent.

Although AMD in women was not found to be significantly affected by alcohol, the study indicated that, in general, geographic atrophy (a form of late-stage dry AMD) progresses about 13 percent faster in women than in men.

Importantly, the authors acknowledged that connections between alcohol drinking and AMD are still poorly understood by researchers and that more research is needed to understand the relationship.

Other Lifestyle Factors May Affect AMD

Along with drinking alcohol, other lifestyle factors may increase your risk of vision loss with AMD. Some lifestyle factors may raise the risk of developing AMD or of AMD progressing from dry AMD to wet AMD or geographic atrophy — two more serious forms of the condition.

Other factors that may lead to AMD development or progression include:

Smoking tobacco or use of other types of tobacco products
Eating foods that are high in saturated fat, such as red meat, butter and high-fat dairy products, fried foods, and baked foods with palm oil or palm kern oil
Hypertension (high blood pressure) that isn’t well managed

You can help reduce your risk of AMD vision loss or help slow the progression of the disease with healthy lifestyle choices. Talk to your doctor if you need help managing a healthy lifestyle.

Quit Smoking

If you smoke tobacco, it’s essential to quit smoking. People who smoke are four times more likely to live with AMD than people who’ve never smoked. Research has found that smoking increases the risk of developing AMD, speeds up disease progression, and makes AMD more resistant to treatment.

“I stopped drinking alcohol and cigarettes,” a myAMDteam member wrote.

Adopt a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet can help protect your eyes from vision loss. A diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables contains vitamins and minerals that can help protect your eye health.

Foods that are especially good for your eyes include leafy greens and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids — a type of healthy fat — such as salmon, sardines, and tuna.

Protect Your Eyes From the Sun

Sun exposure can damage the eyes. Be sure to wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet sunlight. A wide-brimmed hat can also help keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes.

Take Care of Your Overall Health

It’s important to manage chronic (ongoing) conditions such as high blood pressure. Maintaining your overall health is a factor in protecting your eye health. Staying at a healthy weight and getting regular exercise and physical activity can help keep you fit and healthy.

Should You Drink Alcohol With AMD?

It’s important to talk openly with your ophthalmologist and healthcare team about your alcohol habits if you’re living with AMD. Your doctor or eye care provider can review your individual risk factors to help determine if your alcohol habits pose a risk for your eye health.

“Did you stop drinking alcohol because a doctor told you it was bad for our eye disease or just for general health benefits?” a myAMDteam member asked.

Getting Help for Alcohol Use Disorder

If you think you may have a problem with alcohol, your healthcare provider can help.

Millions of adults in the United States from all walks of life live with alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD affects people in many different ways, including cravings for alcohol, excessive drinking or inability to control how much you drink, and discomfort or withdrawal if you don’t drink.

If drinking alcohol is taking a toll on your mental or physical health, interfering with daily activities, or hurting personal relationships, talk to a healthcare professional.