Permanently dilated pupils
 

For the last 6 months or so I have had more people than I can keep count of coming up to me asking me 'what I'm on' because of my giant pupils. I'm getting a bit uptight about it because they are, indeed, huge, even in bright light. At their largest it appears my eye is almost entirely black with virtually no iris.

It's really starting to get me down a bit because of the sheer amount of comments, both from people I know and people I don't (i.e. a cashier in a shop will ask if I'm okay, what's wrong with my eyes etc.) and the fact that people are asking me what drugs I've been taking which, while perhaps funny at first is just irritating and somewhat alarming the 30th time.

They look like this almost permanently:

http://www.sunidesus.net/PhotoBlog/Dilated2.jpg

Why are they dilated now? Will they ever go back to normal?

andy,

I think you need to ask this question of an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) or other specialist. If you can, put it at the top of your list until you can get a professional opinion. When someone comments, you can respond, " I don't know why they are so dilated. I am recovering from a brain injury. I am waiting to get a doctor to help me understand." They will likely understand.

This will help you disarm their comment and concern.

hello,

i think they shouldn´t be dilated like that.

how they react to the light though? if you put some bright light on them (not directly on a pupil but very closely to it) will they get smaller briskly? or slowly? at the same speed on the both side?

some people just have bigger pupils for their whole lives but it´s important to know how the pupils react to light.

nevertheless, see an eye specialist/neurologist about that.

I've attached a photo of my *actual* eyes (it was too dark last night). That was this morning with sunlight streaming through my window.

I shone a very bright light in them and they did get smaller. They seemed to react quite slowly but then I'm not really sure what speed pupils are supposed to move... But both move at the same time.

I'm seeing a neuro Wednesday. I presume he's going to look in my eyes (with a light). Do you think that will be a sufficient investigation?

If not, would an optometrist be able to investigate? I reckon I'd be on a waiting list for months on the NHS to see an eye doctor.

hello,

i am not a doctor so i cant give you any expert advice but the good thing is that the pupils react to light (at the same speed). That´s definitely a good thing. Nevertheless i would see a doctor about that.

Hey,

Do you find that your vision is challenged because of this? Just from personal experience, I've had the same depending on what meds were prescribed (strangely enough)...

I get blurred vision sometimes and I see random light flashes. Providing I don't have either I can see okay.

Tell the neurologist and trust him. They know how to use the eyes and pupils to understand how the brain is functioning. If the neuro does not see a problem, accept his expert opinion.

You don't need to take on any anxiety.

My best to you.

Great, I will do just that. Thanks, all.