Author: James Anderson

Mydriasis: Why Are My Pupils Dilated and What Should I Do?

Your doctor will determine the underlying cause of mydriasis and recommend the best treatment. Less-serious causes of mydriasis include medication side effects and increased oxytocin. Mydriasis after a dilated pupil exam is temporary and not a cause for concern.

Why Do Pupils Dilate?

Dilated pupils (mydriasis) are when the black center of your eyes are larger than normal. The condition may be caused by dilating eye drops from an eye exam, the side effects from a drug/medication or traumatic injury. Pupils naturally dilate due to changes in light and emotional events, but unusual pupil dilation could be the result of a medical condition. Dilated pupils occur when the black part of your eyes becomes wider than the iris, the colored part of the eyes. Mydriatic eye drops, certain medications, and eye trauma can cause dilated pupils.

In cases other than those described above, call your eye doctor immediately for advice if you notice your pupils are dilated — especially if it comes on suddenly. If you or someone else notices you have dilated pupils or one of your pupils looks larger than the other after head trauma, seek medical attention immediately. Also called Adie’s tonic pupil or tonic pupil, this is a rare neurological disorder where one pupil is larger than normal and is slow to react to light.

Pupils will return to normal as the effect of the drug wears off. When this will happen depends on the drug and the time it takes for the amount of the active ingredient to decrease by half in your body (half-life). Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a key role in emotional attachment and sexual arousal. Your body releases oxytocin during exercise and intimate physical or social interactions.

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An official chart called the “Drug Recognition Card,” used mostly by law enforcement and emergency medical teams, shows images of pupils reacting to various drugs. Benzodiazepine drugs likeXanaxcan also cause pupils to dilate because they affect the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which has a muscle-relaxing effect. Stimulant medications like Ritalin and Adderall, which are used to treatADHD, are also among drugs that cause dilated pupils. There are many signs we can look for that can indicate drug use. In law enforcement and medical communities that deal withsubstance misuse, dilated pupils is considered a key marker of illicit drug use.

What Are Dilated Pupils?

You might have heard that looking at someone you love makes your pupils dilate. That’s because your pupils are also affected by internal factors. You can check the size by standing in front of a mirror, then dimming and raising the lights in the room to see how your pupils react. The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition. Photochromic (transition) lenses automatically darken outside in daylight and lighten up inside in darker conditions. These can help reduce sensitivity to outdoor lighting.

What do dilated pupils look like?

Therefore, pupils look extra big when they’re dilated. The black pupil takes up more of the iris, so the eye may appear darker with less color. If you received dilating eye drops from an ophthalmologist, your eyes could be dilated between four and 24 hours. The length of time is dependent on the type of drop used and how your body responds to it. The size of your pupils is controlled by tiny muscles in the colored part of your eye (iris) and the amount of light reaching your eyes.

If a medicine causes your pupils to dilate, they should go back to normal once the drug wears off. If you need the medication for a health problem, ask your doctor if there’s a different drug you can try that won’t affect your eyes. Seek immediate medical attention if you have dilated pupils after an injury to the eye. Eye trauma can cause vision loss, which is why prompt medical attention is important. In some cases, anxiety can cause pupils to dilate as a result of adrenaline. The hormones and chemicals released from the adrenal glands send nerve impulses to organs, leading the body to react in a “fight or flight” mode.

Should I be worried about my dilated pupils?

1. Custom contact lenses can reduce light sensitivity due to eye dilation.
2. In one study, the median duration of the episodes was 12 hours (some lasted much longer) and the median frequency was two to three episodes per month.
3. Sometimes, you may have to wait until your pupils return to normal without special treatment.
4. If you need the medication for a health problem, ask your doctor if there’s a different drug you can try that won’t affect your eyes.

If you are experiencing sensitivity to light while your eyes are dilated, you can also use sunglasses. A head injury, stroke or brain tumor can affect how your pupils react to light and cause dilated pupils. The pressure that builds inside your brain after a head injury, stroke, or tumor can damage iris muscles, which normally make your pupils open and close. One or both of your pupils can become fixed in the dilated position and can’t react to light. You should see an eye doctor or other healthcare provider for dilated pupils if one or both of your pupils changes suddenly or if your pupils often stay dilated.

In addition to trauma, eye injuries can result from certain surgical procedures, such as cataract removal. Pupils are supposed to dilate; it’s a natural response to low-light situations. Pupils may dilate in response to various stimuli under completely normal circumstances. Pupil dilation can be attributed to an increase in the hormone and neurotransmitter oxytocin, which acts as a chemical messenger during sexual arousal.

When to seek help

Also known as Adie’s pupil, this rare neurological condition causes abnormal dilation in one or both eyes. However, you should undergo a comprehensive eye exam to ensure your eyes and nervous system are healthy. You might also have imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans to look for an injury or other problems in your brain.

Mydriasis is when you have dilated pupils that don’t return to normal size in bright light. Many things can cause mydriasis, including serious problems like brain trauma. The tests used to diagnose the cause of dilated pupils will vary. A healthcare provider will complete a physical exam of the eyes to find the reason. The provider will check for the eye’s response to light and whether the dilated pupil occurs in one or both eyes. A healthcare provider may treat dilated pupils using certain medications or special contact lenses that can change how your eye looks.