The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of a single dose of ethanol on the developing chick embryo.. Fertilized eggs were divided into five groups; a control group, and the other groups were injected in the air sac, before incubation with a single dose of 100 µl saline solution, 5%, 10% or 15% ethanol in saline solution. Results revealed growth retardation and malformations in different organs. Retinal cells were degenerated and cell death was induced in later stages of development. Levels of lipid peroxidation are significantly increased, levels of nitric oxide are fluctuated between an increase in the 5% ethanol treated group and a decrease in the 10% and 15% ethanol treated groups. Levels of the antioxidants, glutathione and vitamin C are significantly decreased at all doses of ethanol used except for a significant increase of glutathione in case of treatment with 10% ethanol. It is suggested that ethanol might exert its action through slowing down the rate of development during the early stages of incubation (two and four days), and later (six days) the action was probably through cellular damage via releasing free radicals and changing levels of nitric oxide concentration. Thus, findings of the current study demonstrate the direct toxic effects of a single dose of ethanol on developing embryos in general and on the eye in particular. Since all human embryos are vulnerable to any accidental alcohol toxixity, pregnant mothers are required to check up for alcohol abnormalities.