Login|Contact Us
Question and Answer

Eye

Ask an Eye Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

  • Ask A Question
  • Browse Answers
  • Meet The Experts
  • How JustAnswer Works

I woke up with my left pupil dilated and my right one normal.

 
Dr. Rick's Avatar
  • Answered by:Dr. Rick
  • Board Certified MD
  • Positive Feedback: 96.7 %
  • Accepted Answers: 4049
Verified Expert
in Eye

Recent Feedback

Positive
Dr. Rick responds with lightning speed and honest advice - even in a bad...
Positive
RickMD gave me some great ideas that should help me reach my goal in 2013.
Positive
Dr. Rick was very kind when I was anxious about my mom's eye problem! I'm very...
Positive
Type your review here...
Positive
I RECEIVED A REPLY VERY QUICKLY. IT ANSWERED MY QUESTION AND GAVE ME...
Positive
Helpful Doctor, I would definitely consult him again.
Positive
Nice to get a second opinion and a different perspective.Reduces my worry.
Positive
Thanks for working with me on this!
Positive
Excellent
Positive
Prompt reply, friendly response, in plain english and with sufficient detail.

Customer Question

I woke up with my left pupil dilated and my right one normal. It never happened before, no injury, no eye drops, just randomly dilated after I woke up this morning. What could be the reason?

 

Optional Information:
Gender: Male
Age: 22

Already Tried:
Nothing.

Submitted: 550 days and 4 hours ago.
Category: Eye
Value: $39
Status: CLOSED
Picture
Expert:  Dr. Rick replied 550 days and 4 hours ago.

Hi. I'm online and happy to answer your question today. The chat system is not working today but we can use this system to work on your question.

How dilated is your pupil? If you close your other eye, can you read with the dilated one or see clearly in the distance (with glasses on if needed)?

Have you used any medicines lately? Anti nausea patches etc?

Any other symptoms or issues?

Customer replied 550 days and 4 hours ago.

I've used Bronkaid and Caffeine.

As for reading and seeing if I close my non dilated eye; it's fine. Seems a bit weird I guess or blurry, not sure how to describe it, but I can still see and read. It's not FULLY dilated, but it's pretty big, relative to the other eye.

Picture
Expert:  Dr. Rick replied 550 days and 4 hours ago.

Ok. That's good. Is there anyway that you can upload a closeup picture of the dilated pupil? If so, here is an easy way to send it to me:


Save your picture on your computer, someplace easy to find it such as your desktop.
Go to www.tinypic.com
Upload your picture to the site tinypic.com by browsing for it as directed.
This opens up files on your computer. Double click on the picture you want to upload then hit open (bottom right of the screen). This will take you back to the tinypic page. Hit "upload now" then do the secret code thing and your picture will upload into the system.
Once you do that it gives you a bunch of links you can use, one of which says "direct link for layouts" It is important to use this box. It is the forth one down from the top of the page.
Copy the link from inside this box and then paste it into your justanswer dialog box and send it to your expert.


If you can't get a picture uploaded just let me know and we can work on this issue without it.....

Customer replied 550 days and 4 hours ago.

I can't get one right now.

Also, I had a sinus infection about 10 days ago, and I've since recovered. Took augmentin for it.

Picture
Expert:  Dr. Rick replied 550 days and 4 hours ago.

Ok. No problem. This is unlikely to be related to your sinus infection of the augmentin use.

You most likely have what is called physiologic anisocoria. This is the normal difference between the size of your pupils that can happen for no real reason. It is not the sign of a brain tumor (everyone thinks of this one first for some reason :o) or anything serious. It really is nothing to be worried about in an otherwise healthy young man such as yourself.

Here is a good article on the topic:

http://visiononesource.com/my-eye-disease/50-iris-and-pupil-conditions/165-physiological-anisocoria.html

Does this make sense to you?

And, now, the obligatory word from our sponsors: :o)
I hope that this information was helpful for you. Please, allow me get credit for my time and effort in assisting you and press the YES button for this assist. I will be glad to answer additional questions until you are satisfied. Thank you very much.

Positive Feedback and/or Bonus is welcomed and appreciated.

Let me know if there are there any other concerns or issues you would like to discuss on this topic.

Customer replied 550 days and 4 hours ago.

Will it settle back down to normal size?? How long should I wait before going to see someone? So there is no reason for concern because I'm getting anxiety because of this now.

Accepted Answer

Picture
Expert:  Dr. Rick replied 550 days and 4 hours ago.

I can understand your concern but, while there are other causes of an enlarged (or a small pupil) the odds are way in your favor that you have the condition I discussed above.

Things should be better by this afternoon. If there is still only a small residual difference, say one to two millimeters, between the size of your pupils in normal light then I still believe you will be OK.

If it is significantly larger then that then you might want to call an ophthalmologist and have her take a look at you. In any event, do your best not to panic as I, truly, believe you will be just fine.

OK? ok.

Expert TypeBoard Certified MD
Category: Eye
Pos. Feedback: 96.7 %
Accepts: 4049
Answered: 10/3/2011

Experience: Ophthalmology since 1994 with Retina sub-specialty interest

Ask this Expert a Question >
Picture
Expert:  Dr. Rick replied 550 days and 4 hours ago.

.

 
Tweet

2 Eye Doctors are Online Right Now

Ask Your Question Now
Ask an Eye Doctor
Type Your Eye Question Here...
characters left:

Top Eye Experts

See More Eye Doctors

In The News

Nbc
Washington Post
New York Times
Cnn
Learn More

How It Works

  • Ask an Expert
  • Get a Professional Answer
  • Ask Followup Questions
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Learn More
close
Find Expert answers related to your question.
Sign up using email
We will never post anything without your permission.
Already have an account? Sign in

Ask an Eye Doctor

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
228 Eye Doctors are Online Now
Type Your Eye Question Here...
characters left:
Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.
Truste
Contact Us | Terms of Service | Privacy & Security | About Us
© 2003-2013 JustAnswer LLC