Everything you need to know about Dilated Pupils

We all know that people can see through the human eye, a sensory organ that responds to light. And so vision problems can lead to severe issues. Eye problems result from a variety of eye disorders. Some minor eye issues can be treated quickly or go away on their own. However, some diseases and conditions of the eyes are more severe and can result in blindness. One of the similar eye conditions is Dilated Pupils. Read on to learn everything about it. 

What Are Dilated Pupils?

Let’s start with what this term suggests. The area in the center of the black part of your eyes, known as a pupil, gets bigger if your pupils are dilated. Usually, the size of the pupil in each eye is the same. The size of your pupils can alter how much light enters your eye. 

This means that the iris, which is the dark colored part around the pupil, has small muscles that regulate your pupil’s size. Your pupils will shrink in bright light to block light. Similarly, pupils enlarge to let in more light when it is dark. Pupillary reaction are what these adjustments are called. And when you concentrate on a close object, your eyes converge and pupils likewise contract. This reaction is referred to as accommodation.

Always remember that a pupil is not working normally if it does not contract under bright light or enlarge in the dark.

Causes

The causes of dilated pupils are many. Here are a few of the most typical ones:

• Medicines

Several prescription and over-the-counter medications can widen your pupils and impair their capacity to react to light.

• Eye Injury

Your iris may be harmed by a penetrating eye injury, which can also result in the pupil of that eye dilating and changing form. This injury can occasionally happen during an eye operation, such as a challenging cataract procedure or a corneal transplant.

• Brain Injury

Your pupils’ response to light may be altered by a head injury, stroke, or brain tumour, leading to dilated pupils. Both eyes or just one could be impacted.

• Drug Use

According to studies, marijuana and alcohol hamper your eyes’ capacity to recover from exposure to intense light sources (such as approaching headlights at night) and adjust to changing lighting conditions.

Is Having Dilated Pupils Something Serious?

In general, briefly dilated pupils are nothing to be too concerned about. However, it would be an excellent option to examine your eyes if you have taken medication and your pupils are still dilated many hours later. However, if one pupil is larger than the other, or if you experience the following symptoms: vertigo, headache, confusion, or difficulty balancing, it may be a sign of a more severe condition.

What Is Mydriasis?

Mydriasis is the term used when pupils are dilated. Mydriasis can be brought on by various factors, including medication, trauma, and illness. Your primary care physician or an ophthalmologist should be contacted if you notice a sudden change in size in one or both of your pupils or if you find that they frequently remain dilated.

Pupil Dilation Test: What It Is All About

For the eye doctor to thoroughly assess the state of the optic nerve and retina, pupil dilation is a procedure that is done to purposely expand the size of the pupils during a dilated eye exam. The examination is essential for identifying and treating eye disorders that could impair vision.

Treatment For Dilated Pupils

Mydriasis can indicate emergency situations like a stroke, head injury, brain tumour, or eye injury, whether in one or both eyes.
To identify the source of your Mydriasis, your doctor can take a thorough medical history, do a comprehensive eye examination, and request brain imaging tests.

• The cause of Mydriasis determines how it should be treated. For instance, you don’t need a treatment if your pupils are dilated after an eye exam because the effect will go away in a day.
• Request a medication change from your doctor if a prescription drug is the root of the problem. 
• Mydriasis brought on by a brain or eye injury may also need surgery to be treated.
• Your doctor may also suggest special contacts or light-sensitive sunglasses to treat dilated pupils
• Pupil constricting eye drops can be recommended for better results. 

Why Centre For Sight?

No matter what health issue we’re discussing, it’s evident that each one needs to be treated as soon as possible; the same is true for dilated eyes. So contact a reputable eye clinic like Centre For Sight to get started on an effective treatment plan. 
At CFS, we have skilled ophthalmologists who can provide a satisfying experience. We ensure that you receive the most outstanding care and are at rest. Contact us to know more.

Article: Everything you need to know about Dilated Pupils
Author: CFS Editorial Team | Aug 16 2022 | UPDATED 02:39 IST

*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.