Oxytocin is a hormone that supports human connection and reproduction. Increases in oxytocin levels tend to make the pupils dilate. The effects of the eye drops usually wear off in 4 to 6 hours. Being able to see these components of the eye can provide key indicators of eye health and signs of serious problems.Įye exams may be conducted to look for problems, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other eyesight-threatening conditions. Share on Pinterest Eye drops called mydriatics may be used during eyes exams, causing temporary dilation of the pupils.Įye specialists called ophthalmologists and optometrists may use special eye drops called mydriatics to dilate the pupils during eye exams.Īround 15 to 30 minutes after this treatment, the pupils will dilate, making it possible for the specialist to get a good look at both the retina and the optic nerve. They may also experience discomfort in, around, or behind the eye and have blurry vision.Įpisodes typically last for a short time and go away on their own. Some plants, such as Jimson weed, angel’s trumpet, and members of the belladonna family, can cause the pupils to dilate.Ī person might encounter these plants without realizing it through inhaling particles or touching garden flowers.Ī condition called benign episodic pupillary mydriasis happens when an otherwise healthy individual with a history of headaches suddenly develops dilated pupils. Recreational drugs that include cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, and amphetamines can also cause dilated pupils. Several different medications can cause mydriasis in one or both eyes.Īntihistamines, botox, muscle relaxants, and drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease may all cause the pupils to dilate.Īnticholinergics, which are used to block neurotransmitters in individuals with COPD, urinary incontinence, and other conditions, also have this effect. There are many different potential causes for mydriasis, including: A person should see a doctor if it does not, or if other symptoms are present such as headaches or confusion. In most cases, having dilated pupils does not mean that an individual has a serious health problem, and the condition will go away on its own fairly rapidly. This condition is called physiologic, simple, or essential anisocoria. Mydriasis that affects only one eye is called anisocoria.Īn estimated 1 in 5 people are born with pupils of slightly different sizes, and their eyes react typically to changes in light. Mydriasis can affect one pupil at a time or both at once. The opposite of mydriasis is called miosis and is when the iris constricts to cause very small or pinpoint pupils. This may be caused by an injury, psychological factors, or when someone takes certain drugs or medications.ĭoctors sometimes refer to more pronounced mydriasis, when the pupils are fixed and dilated, as “blown pupil.” This condition can be a symptom of an injury to the brain from physical trauma or a stroke. When someone’s pupils dilate in an unusual way, it is called mydriasis. Image credit: Bin im Garten, (2011, March 16). Share on Pinterest Mydriasis causes unusual dilation of the pupil.
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