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Dilated Pupils: What Is It, Causes, & Treatments

Dilated pupils are a natural and common reaction to many situations and will usually go away on their own. However, when they’re sudden, are seemingly triggered for no reason, or don’t go away on their own, there can be an underlying cause for them that could require medical attention.

Let’s discuss what dilated pupils are, what they can be caused by when you should worry about them, and what treatment options are available.

What Are Dilated Pupils?

Pupils are the part of your eye that lets light into your eyes to help you see clearly. They’re controlled by the muscles in your iris, which is the colored part of your eye. The normal pupil size for an adult varies from 2 mm to 8 mm, depending on the amount of light exposure.

Dilated pupils occur when your pupils widen. There are natural causes that can cause this, but the effects will always be temporary. If your dilated pupils linger, you should get your eyes checked to find out the underlying reason.

Natural Responses Leading to Dilated Pupils

Pupils are constantly changing in size in response to the amount of light they’re taking in.

They normally dilate in low-light conditions to let more light into the eye. They will also constrict in conditions with higher levels of light to minimize the amount of light that enters the eye.

Causes of Dilated Pupils

There are also unnatural causes that could cause your pupils to dilate. In these cases, consulting with a professional is recommended.

Medications and Drugs

A variety of medications cause dilated pupils by interfering with the muscle function in the iris that controls the pupil’s size.

Some of these medications include:

Antihistamines, like Benadryl
Muscle relaxants, like Lioresal
Decongestants, like Sudafed
Parkinson’s medications, like Symmetrel
Antidepressants, like Norpramin
Illicit drugs like LSD or cocaine

When checked by a healthcare professional, they can determine if the cause of your dilated pupils is a medication you’re taking.

Eye Injuries

Trauma to the brain or eye can cause dilated pupils. Typically, blunt closed trauma damages the iris sphincter muscle, or one of the pathways in the brain that controls it. These injuries can also cause bleeding inside the skull, which can make your pupils enlarge.

Eye injuries can also be caused by:

Retinal procedures, like retinal detachment surgery, diabetic retinopathy surgery, and macular hole surgery
Intraocular surgery, like cataract removal or a corneal transplant

Medical Conditions

Dilated pupils can also be caused by several medical conditions, such as:

Aneurysm in the brain
Brain tumor or abscess
Excess pressure in one eye caused by glaucoma
Acute stroke
Intracranial hemorrhage
Brain swelling
Infection of membranes around the brain
Increased intracranial pressure
Intracranial tumor
Migraine headache
Seizure
Tomor, moss, or lymph node in the upper chest or lymph node
Diabetic oculomotor nerve palsy
Horner syndrome
Benign episodic unilateral mydriasis
Adie’s pupil
Congenital aniridia

When to Worry About Dilated Pupils

If you have an unexplained change in pupil size and it’s not going away, reach out to your healthcare provider. This is particularly true if they started suddenly, are recent, or happened after an injury to your head or eye.

If you have these symptoms along with dilated pupils, get medical treatment immediately:

Eye sensitivity to light
Blurred vision
Double vision
Headache
Fever
Loss of vision
Eye pain
Nausea or vomiting
Stiff neck

Treatments for Dilated Pupils

In most cases, dilated pupils are a natural response that will go away on their own. However, if they continue to linger, a healthcare professional may recommend further treatment. The treatment can vary depending on the underlying cause of your dilated pupils.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses, particularly sunglasses with polarized lenses, can help alleviate discomfort and sensitivity to light caused by dilated pupils. They’ll reduce the amount of light entering your eyes, providing relief in environments where bright lights exacerbate your sensitivity to light.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation can be used as a treatment if the abuse of substances is the underlying cause of your dilated pupils.

Treatment programs for substance abuse typically involve:

Medication
Counseling
Therapy
Support groups

These programs are utilized to reduce your dependence on the substances that are causing your pupil dilation.

Contact Lenses

Prosthetic contact lenses are specialized lenses that are used to manage eye conditions that cause issues in the appearance of your eyes. For dilated pupils, they are used to cosmetically address pupil size unevenness or irregularities. These lenses are custom-made to match the appearance of your natural eyes and help improve the symmetry and aesthetics of your eyes when there are visible discrepancies in your pupils.

Surgery

Though uncommon, surgery can be used as a treatment for dilated pupils when the underlying cause requires surgical intervention.

These circumstances could include:

Eye Trauma: Severe eye injuries that affect the muscles controlling your pupils’ size and response may require surgical intervention to restore your normal pupil function.
Nerve Damage: Conditions like a third nerve palsy, where the nerve controlling the pupil’s movement is affected, may require surgical repair to address the underlying cause or to correct the muscle or nerve function.
Certain Eye Disorders: In rare cases, specific eye disorders that cause abnormal pupil dilatation could require surgical management or treatment to address the issue.

Act Now on Pupil Changes for Optimal Eye Health

If you have dilated pupils that have no explanation, don’t hesitate to reach out to our reliable team at Specialty Eye Institute. We offer comprehensive eye care that can find out the underlying cause, as well as the best way to treat them.

We are committed to offering exceptional service and treatment every time you come in. At Specialty Eye Institute, we pride ourselves on following our four core values:

Patient-Centered Advocate
Excellence
Integrity
Compassion

Call Us Today or schedule an appointment on our website.

4 Common Eye Problems & How to Prevent Them

For most of us, sight is the most important and helpful sense we have. It allows us to navigate the world around us, so we should do everything we can to maintain healthy eyesight and prevent common eye problems. Most vision problems happen with age, but many eye issues are minor and may be temporary. However, there are some more serious eye problems that can cause damage to the eyes, and sometimes a permanent loss of vision. We have compiled a list of common eye problems that can be prevented.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be extremely uncomfortable and may cause impaired vision. Symptoms include:

Red eyes
Light sensitivity
Scratchy or watery eyes
Blurred vision

You may also feel like there is something in your eye. The reason you have dry eyes is due to a lack of tears, which are necessary to keep your eyes healthy and infection-free. A decrease in tear production may be caused by aging, certain medications, or medical procedures — which are all usually unavoidable.

You can treat this type of common eye problem with warm compresses to the eyelids, washing your eyelids with baby shampoo, or giving your eyelids a light massage. Prevent tear evaporation by limiting exposure to wind, smoke, and dry air. Protect your eyes with sunglasses or goggles. Eye drops can also be helpful, such as vitamin A and cyclosporine drops.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve, which is key to healthy vision. This eye problem is usually caused by high pressure in the eye(s). Over time, glaucoma can lead to blindness, which can’t be reversed.

Glaucoma is often hereditary but can be caused by lack of exercise, other eye injuries, or diabetes. Symptoms may include:

Patchy blind spots
Tunnel vision
Headaches
Eye pain
Nausea
Blurry Vision

Not all glaucoma cases can be prevented. However, there are various treatment options that can effective for this type of eye issue if the condition is caught early enough. The best way to prevent glaucoma is to get regular eye screenings, especially if you have diabetes.

Tips & Insights: Top Reasons to Participate in Multiple Consultations Before Cataract Surgery

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic Conjunctivitis happens when the outer part of our eye becomes swollen or irritated with a reaction to pollen, dander, mold, or other things that trigger allergies.

Symptoms may include:

Burning or itching sensation
Watery eyes
Puffy eyelids
Stringy discharge in the eyes

The best way to prevent allergic conjunctivitis is to avoid allergy-causing substances. Researchers have also found eye drops to help those prone to allergies.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is very common, especially for those who are 50 and older. As macular degeneration advances, vision loss may occur.

Researchers say you can prevent this type of eye problem with simple lifestyle choices such as not smoking, exercising regularly, eating healthy, and keeping normal blood pressure levels.

Tips & Insights: The Importance of Receiving Vision Screening Tests

Prevent Common Eye Problems With Eye Screenings

The best way to prevent these common eye problems is to visit your eye doctor on a regular basis, or as often as they recommend depending on your situation. Our staff of ophthalmologists offers dependable eye care solutions to clients such as cataract treatments, refractive lens exchange surgery, keratoconus treatments, and LASIK eye surgery. If your vision suddenly changes, contact your eye doctor immediately to schedule an appointment.

Is LASIK Worth It?

Do you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia? LASIK eye surgery can be worth it to provide the clarity you need.

This minimally-invasive procedure corrects these refractive errors to improve poor vision for good. If you’re skeptical about whether LASIK surgery is worth getting, check out the guide below.

What Is LASIK?

LASIK—which stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis—is a laser vision correction procedure that corrects the following refractive errors:

Myopia (nearsightedness)
Hyperopia (farsightedness)
Astigmatism (impaired corneal curvature)
Presbyopia (age-related visual decline)

The procedure improves overall visual acuity by reshaping the cornea with an excimer laser. It’s a one-time alternative to prescription glasses and contact lenses.

Learn More About LASIK

Who Is an Eligible Candidate for LASIK?

LASIK is an FDA-approved vision correction procedure for patients who are 18 years of age or older. To be a good candidate for LASIK surgery, you must meet the following criteria.

General Qualifications

Those who are younger than 18 years old, pregnant, or have thin corneas are ineligible for LASIK surgery.

Good Vision & General Health

Those who have an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or a degenerative health condition like uncontrolled diabetes don’t qualify for LASIK.

Additionally, particular vision diseases and conditions complicate the healing process associated with LASIK—which disqualifies a patient from undergoing the procedure. These conditions include:

Cataracts
Glaucoma
Dry eyes
Eye injuries
Eyelid disorders
Eye infections
Eye inflammation

Stable Vision

Your vision prescription should be consistent for 12 months or more to undergo LASIK surgery. Those under 18 years old and over 40 years old are known for having fluctuating vision prescriptions, which is why they are often not deemed to be ideal LASIK candidates.

Normal Cornea Thickness

During the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision on the cornea’s surface to create a corneal flap. This flap allows the surgeon to access the cornea underneath and reshape its curvature by removing the damaged portion. Your cornea must be thick enough to allow the surgeon to create the flap and remove the damaged portion without harming your eye.

Depending on the severity of your visual impairment, you may still require reading glasses after undergoing LASIK. However, LASIK will still significantly improve your vision—making you less reliant on glasses and contacts.

Structure of Human Eye - Is LASIK Worth It?

4 Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery

Here are the top four reasons why LASIK surgery is worth it.

1. Quick

The entire LASIK procedure only takes around 20 minutes to complete—10 minutes for each eye.

2. Safe & Reliable

LASIK is an FDA-approved vision correction procedure that has a low risk of complications.

3. Convenient

LASIK enables you to see the world through clearer eyes without having to deal with glasses or contact lenses.

4. Improved Vision

You can expect to have better vision within just a few hours of having surgery. Your vision will improve further over the first few days.

The Risks Associated With LASIK Surgery

Like with any surgical procedure, LASIK poses some risks. Thankfully, the risks are minimal—especially when you choose an expert LASIK doctor who will ensure you’re a good candidate and work hard to prevent potential side effects. Most LASIK patients experience little to no side effects after surgery.

Side Effects

You may develop dry eye symptoms or glares or halos in your peripheral vision up to three months after surgery.

Potential Vision Loss

It’s possible—but not probably—for the cornea to be injured during surgery, which can cause temporary or permanent vision loss.

Potential Retreatment

While LASIK is designed to be a one-time vision correction solution, some patients require a follow-up procedure later on. However, the chance of this occurring is low.

How Much Does Lasik Surgery Cost?

The cost of LASIK surgery depends on various factors—including your surgery provider and whether one or both eyes require treatment. At Specialty Eye Institute, we offer flexible financing options and discounts to make LASIK affordable for every patient. If you want to know more about our rates, complete our LASIK pricing form.

Request More Information

Do You Need LASIK?

Want to know whether you qualify for LASIK surgery? Take our LASIK self-test to find out.

Take The Test

Get LASIK at Specialty Eye Institute

Are you tired of relying on prescription glasses and contact lenses to see clearly? It’s time to schedule LASIK surgery. This vision correction procedure offers the visual clarity and freedom you’ve always wanted.

As the leading ophthalmic practice in Mid-Michigan and Northwest Ohio, Specialty Eye Institute is the LASIK provider you can trust to deliver the results you need. Take the first step toward better vision by scheduling an appointment with our team of vision experts.

Give Us A Call Today

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Specialty Eye Institute Named One of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation

The National Association of Business Resources (NABR) has named Specialty Eye Institute (SEI) as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to work for in the nation. This national award follows Specialty Eye Institute’s regional nomination earlier this year as one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies. SEI will be recognized as one of the elite award winners during this year’s National Best and Brightest Summit for demonstrating exceptional innovative human resource practices.

An independent research firm evaluates companies based on compensation, benefits and employee solutions; employee enrichment, engagement and retention; employee education and development; recruitment, selection and orientation; employee achievement and recognition; communication and shared vision; diversity and inclusion; work-life balance; community initiatives; and strategic company performance.

“With the war on talent hitting the doorsteps of the Best and Brightest, this achievement means even more than it did a year ago. As we continue to raise the bar, these companies rise to the challenge through cultural innovation, maximizing their workforce potential,” said Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO, Best and Brightest Programs.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition. It’s the fact that we strive every day to ensure we earn this award – is what is important,” Kathleen Fox, Director of Human Resources, Specialty Eye Institute.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® is a program that identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that lead to increased productivity and financial performance. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.

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