Readaptation time after photo stress. Alcohol-induced acute and post-alcohol 'hangover' changes in ocular readaptation time.

The effect of alcohol intake on readaptation time (RAT) after photo stress is studied. Ten healthy subjects were given 0.72 g alcohol per kg body weight to be consumed within 20 min. The tests were made during a total period of 11-12 h. The findings demonstrate that moderate blood alcohol concentrations induce definite changes in RAT. An average RAT-prolongation of 60-70% was seen during the acute phase of intoxication. RAT-prolongation ended before the blood alcohol concentration had reached zero, but did not have the same downward slope. Following a period of reduction, a new prolongation of RAT was observed. The lack of congruence between the RAT-curve and the blood alcohol curve in the acute phase of intoxication and the post-alcohol increase are discussed. It is concluded that the alcohol-induced RAT-changes probably are CNS-effects and that the equipment used constitutes a sensitive method of estimating these effects.