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Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Wet vs Dry Macular Degeneration

Don’t be intimidated by its big name. Macular degeneration is the term for a manageable eye condition that impairs our vision as we age. Whether you’re one of the millions who have been diagnosed with macular degeneration or you’re here to improve your eye health, you may have heard people refer to two types — “wet” and “dry” macular degeneration. So, what’s the difference between the two?

The purpose of this guide is to answer that question, and it starts with a general understanding of macular degeneration.

Senior shows symptoms of having Age-related macular degeneration

What is Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, represents the primary cause of vision loss among adults over 60. It affects the macula, a crucial part of the retina responsible for central vision processes such as facial recognition, reading, and driving.

This condition develops when the macula begins to deteriorate over time, causing central vision loss while leaving peripheral vision intact. While AMD typically doesn’t cause complete blindness, it can significantly impact a person’s quality of life by making everyday activities more challenging as the condition progresses.

What is Dry Macular Degeneration?

Dry macular degeneration accounts for 85-90% of all AMD cases and is characterized by the gradual deterioration of the macula and the accumulation of drusen, small deposits of cellular debris in the retina.

While this form typically progresses at a slower rate than wet AMD, it can still lead to significant central vision impairment if left unmonitored. And because dry AMD can sometimes develop into the more serious wet form, regular eye examinations are essential for tracking its progression.

What is Wet Macular Degeneration?

Wet macular degeneration, though less common than dry macular degeneration, represents the more severe form of AMD and requires immediate medical attention. The hallmark of this condition is the abnormal growth of blood vessels beneath the retina, which can leak blood and fluid, causing rapid and severe damage to central vision.

Since there is no treatment for wet macular degeneration, early detection is crucial to managing its symptoms. During this stage, patients may notice straight lines appearing wavy or distorted. These changes should prompt an immediate consultation with your eye care specialist.

Symptoms of Macular Degeneration?

Those over 60 should be aware of the potential wet and dry macular degeneration symptoms, particularly in their early stages, as timely detection is crucial for managing AMD.

  • Early and Intermediate Stages
    • Minimal to no noticeable symptoms initially
    • Mild blurriness in central vision
    • Difficulty adapting to low-light conditions
    • Dulled intensity of colors
    • Need for brighter light when reading or doing detailed work
  • Advanced Stages (Wet or Dry)
    • Straight lines appearing wavy or bent
    • Dark or blurry spots in the center of vision
    • Progressive growth of blind spots in central vision
    • Difficulty recognizing faces
    • Problems with reading, driving, or performing detailed tasks

Treatments for Macular Degeneration

Managing AMD requires a personalized approach based on the type and stage of the condition. While limited, here are the current treatment options available:

  • Dry Macular Degeneration Treatment
    • Regular monitoring through comprehensive eye exams.
    • Lifestyle modifications, including exercising regularly and quitting smoking.
    • Nutritional support through eye-healthy foods (fish, leafy greens, yellow fruits).
    • AREDS2 vitamin and mineral supplements for intermediate stages.
    • Advanced cases may be prescribed one of two new FDA-approved injectable medications, including pegcetacoplan or avacincaptad pegol.
  • Wet Macular Degeneration Treatment
    • Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections have shown vision stabilization in 90% of patients and vision improvement in 33%.
    • Laser photocoagulation surgery to seal leaking blood vessels.
    • A combination of photodynamic therapy, laser treatment, and anti-VEGF injections has proven successful in select cases.

FAQs: Wet AMD vs Dry AMD

Which form of macular degeneration is more severe?

While both types can impact vision, wet macular degeneration is generally considered more serious as it can cause rapid vision loss due to leaking blood vessels. Even though dry macular degeneration progresses more slowly, it should still be monitored carefully since it can develop into the wet form.

What are the chances of dry AMD progressing to wet AMD?

Approximately 10% of patients with dry macular degeneration will develop the wet form. Regular monitoring by your eye care specialist is crucial for early detection of any changes, as prompt treatment of wet AMD can help preserve vision.

Can macular degeneration be prevented?

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent AMD, several lifestyle choices can reduce your risk:

  • Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams
  • Maintain a healthy diet rich in leafy greens and fish
  • Exercise regularly
  • Avoid smoking or quit if you currently smoke
  • Protect your eyes from UV exposure
  • Consider vitamin supplements if recommended by your doctor

How often should I get my eyes checked if I have AMD?

The frequency of eye exams depends on your AMD type and stage. Generally, those with early AMD should have comprehensive exams at least annually, while those with more advanced stages may need frequent monitoring. Your eye care specialist will recommend an appropriate schedule.

Can I continue driving with macular degeneration?

Early-stage AMD permits continued driving, especially during daylight hours. However, as the condition progresses, you should discuss driving safety with your eye care provider, as they can best assess your visual capabilities and make appropriate recommendations.

Filed Under: Blog

Optic Nerve Damage: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

Optic Nerve Damage

Optic nerve damage can cause irreversible vision loss. Whether partial or total, vision loss hinders our ability to complete daily tasks with ease. If you want to protect your vision, we strongly recommend scheduling an annual eye exam. Your eye doctor will check for signs of damage, among other conditions, to determine any necessary treatment plans.

Keep reading to learn about what causes optic nerve damage, what symptoms to look for, and how to treat it.

What Is an Optic Nerve?

The optic nerve is a tube-like structure of about one million nerve fibers connecting the back of your eyeball to your brain. It can be stimulated by light and is responsible for transmitting images and light from the retina to the brain. As part of the body’s central nervous system, the optic nerve is essential for collecting and processing visual information.

Read More: Eye Anatomy: The 9 Main Parts of The Eye & How We See

What Causes Optic Nerve Damage?

When it comes to what causes optic nerve damage, there are two main categories: eye diseases, disorders and conditions, and eye injury or trauma.

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Optic Nerve Eye Problems, Diseases, Disorders, & Conditions

Glaucoma

Glaucoma can result in high intraocular pressure, blocked blood flow to the eye, or a buildup of fluid in the eye.

Optic Neuritis

This is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes optic nerve inflammation.

Optic Nerve Atrophy

This condition causes the optic nerve to shrink and lose its ability to transmit signals from the eye to the brain.

Optic Nerve Head Drusen

A deposit of cholesterol and protein forms in the eye’s optic disc, where the optic nerve connects to the eye. This deposit can restrict blood flow to the optic nerve, causing blurred vision or vision loss.

Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

The blood flow to the optic nerve is cut off completely, which can cause anything from swelling to inflammation to fluid buildup.

Optic Nerve Compression

Excess pressure is put on the optic nerve, which can cause blindness.

Eye Infection

Bacterial and viral eye infections—such as Lyme disease, measles, and chickenpox—can spread to the optic nerve and cause irreversible damage. These infections can also cause inflammation and swelling that restricts blood flow to the optic nerve.

Eye Cancer

Tumor cells release a chemical that kills cells in the optic nerve. Tumors can also press on the optic nerve, causing inflammation and swelling, or block the flow of blood to the optic nerve.

Optic Nerve Injury or Trauma

  • Stroke: A stroke can interrupt the optic nerve’s blood supply and block the flow of oxygen and nutrients to it.
  • Cerebral aneurysm: An aneurysm can leak or rupture unexpectedly, causing bleeding and swelling in the brain. Increased pressure due to the bleeding and swelling can damage blood vessels, including those supplying blood to the optic nerves.
  • Blood clot: Blood clots block proper blood flow from the optic nerve to the brain.
  • Diabetes: High glucose levels in the retina can damage the optic nerve.
  • Graves’ Disease: An overactive thyroid gland characteristic of Graves’ disease can cause the optic nerve to swell.
  • Medications: Medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and arthritis, can damage the optic nerve.

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What Are The Signs of Optic Nerve Damage?

Not all cases of optic nerve damage produce obvious symptoms. That’s why we recommend scheduling an annual eye exam so your eye doctor can detect any underlying signs of damage before they become more serious.

There are both eye-related and non-eye-related symptoms of optic nerve damage. The eye-related symptoms include:

  • Partial or total vision loss
  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Vision distortion
  • Redness
  • Inflammation
  • Eye pain
  • Eye bulging
  • Enlarged pupil
  • Weakened color vision
  • Inability to focus
  • Spontaneous eye movement

The non-eye-related symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Joint pain
  • Memory loss
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Numbness
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Unexplained weight loss

Optic Nerve Damage Treatments

While treatments can relieve symptoms and prevent further vision loss, they can’t restore vision that has already been lost. Always consult your eye doctor before moving forward with any treatments.

Common treatments for optic nerve damage include:

  • Eye drops
  • Steroids
  • Oral medicine
  • Laser therapy

Alternative methods to improve symptoms caused and prevent additional vision loss include:

  • Eating healthy
  • Exercising regularly
  • Wearing corrective lenses

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Optic Nerve Damage Treatment

Specialty Eye Institute Is An Industry Leader in Compassionate Eye Care

Whether you suffer from optic nerve damage or have glaucoma, Specialty Eye Institute is equipped with the eye care solutions you need to achieve better vision. Our expert ophthalmologists and doctors use the most advanced technology and techniques to develop innovative treatment options for every vision-related problem. That’s how we’ve led the charge in eye care excellence for over 40 years.

Start by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam. This will provide an accurate picture of your vision needs and help us create the most effective treatment plan. We look forward to meeting with you.

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Implantable Contact Lenses: Everything You Should Know

LASIK has become an extremely popular vision corrective surgery for those who want to drastically improve their vision. This is for good reason, too. However, there are other alternatives that are just as effective and can be a better option if you’re not eligible for LASIK. 

Let’s discuss what an implantable contact lens is, the different types, their benefits and disadvantages, the differences between ICL and LASIK, and the costs involved. 

What Are Permanent Contact Lenses?

An implantable contact lens, or ICL, is a contact lens alternative used for correcting vision. However, unlike traditional contact lenses, they are positioned so that they remain in the eye for a much longer time. Implantable contact lenses are surgically placed inside the eyes, between the iris and the natural lens, giving you permanent contacts. 

ICL is made from Collmar, which is a biocompatible material that’s a combination of collagen and polymer. Because of this, they don’t cause any side effects or discomfort. 

icl lens

Types of Implantable Contact Lenses

ICL Soft Lens

A soft lens is made from a polymeric material that bends easily, making it soft. The design is similar to the collagen found in your cornea, so there is less of a risk of an adverse reaction. 

During a soft lens implantation procedure, your surgeon will cut a tiny incision in your cornea and place the ICL inside your eye, between your iris and lens. There are no stitches required. 

Intraocular Lens

This type of ICL surgery is designed specifically for patients who can’t have LASIK surgery due to their severe nearsightedness. For this type of implant, your surgeon will place the lens between the cornea and iris so that your eyes can focus more clearly. Surgeons will then use tiny stitches to close the incision so that the lens stays in place. 

The Procedure of Implanting Contact Lenses

An ICL surgery is a safe, effective, and fast procedure that permanently corrects your vision. This surgery involves placing a lens between a person’s iris and lens without damaging the corneal tissue. Your natural lens will stay intact. 

The procedure only takes around 15 minutes and has a quick healing time. Many patients go back to normal activities the very next day after their surgery. 

Benefits of Permanent Contact Lenses

There are a myriad of benefits that come with permanent contact lenses. 

  • ICLs are a good choice for people who are not good candidates for LASIK or PRK
  • ICLs can help correct nearsightedness and astigmatism, with advances being made to address other vision conditions
  • ICLs can be used when people have irregular corneas, dry eyes, or vision prescriptions that exceed the acceptable range for LASIK or PRK
  • ICLs are maintenance-free since they’re implanted in the eye
  • There are no added expenses for contact lens cleaners, replacement lens costs, or storage containers
  • The procedure is both minimally invasive and fast
  • ICLs last a long time and allow people to see clearly for years
  • Compared to LASIK or PRK, ICLs generally result in high-definition vision
  • If you don’t like the results, the procedure is completely reversible

nurses putting a bandage over a patient's eye after icl surgery

Potential Risks and Considerations

While the procedure is very safe, surgery always comes with some amount of risk. 

For ICL surgery, they include:

  • Changes in Vision: Patients may have double vision, see halos, experience glare, or struggle to see clearly in low light. 
  • Vision Loss: It’s possible that your vision could get worse following an ICL Surgery. Implanting lenses may not be successful or could damage your eyesight more. 
  • Additional Surgery: If the first ICL surgery isn’t successful, there may be a need for another. If the lens moves out of place or is off-center, the surgeon will need to cut your eye again to replace or adjust the lens. 
  • Results Aren’t Guaranteed: It’s not always the case that perfect 20/20 vision is achieved with the procedure. You may still be required to wear reading glasses after to achieve the vision you want. 
  • Pressure: After your surgery, it may feel like there’s pressure in or behind your eyes. You can be prescribed medication to treat this symptom, but there’s always the possibility that too much pressure can damage your vision permanently. 
  • Detached Retina: Eye surgery may cause retinal detachment. If that occurs, the tissue on the back of your eye that senses light is no longer connected to your eye. 
  • Infection: If your eyes hurt after your procedure, it could be a sign of infection. Some amount of discomfort is common, but most patients have a fast recovery. If lingering pain, redness, swelling, or inflammation occurs, you should contact your doctor. 

Cost and Insurance Coverage

The average cost of this procedure can range from $1,200 to $5,000, depending on a variety of factors. Unfortunately,  ICL is considered to be a cosmetic procedure, so it’s most likely that it will not be included in your insurance.

At Specialty Eye Institute, we are proud to offer Alphaeon financing. With it, you can begin your procedure immediately with a flexible financing plan to help you pay. You will be able to make low monthly payments that fit into your budget. 

Recovery and Post-Procedure Carepatient recovering from icl eye surgery

Recovery from ICL surgery is fairly quick. Within the first day, 70% to 80% of patients have restored their vision and can even be cleared for driving. The vision continues to mature and sharpen gradually over time. Within three to four weeks, the results of the surgery should be fully achieved. 

Despite the quick recovery, you should still take it easy for the first 24 hours. Your doctor will give you instructions regarding taking prescribed eye drops and using an eye shield when you shower.

You should avoid rubbing your eyes or putting cream or eye makeup on them for the first two weeks. Exercising and swimming should also be avoided for the first two weeks after surgery. For the first week after the procedure, it’s recommended to wear UV-protection sunglasses when out in the sun. 

Comparing ICL with LASIK & Other Vision Correction Procedures

ICL surgery is similar to LASIK when it comes to the ultimate goal of enhancing your vision. However, they do have their differences. ICL surgery is generally a great option for most patients, particularly for those who are not eligible for LASIK. You can still have ICL surgery if you are too nearsighted for other procedures, or have dry eyes or thin corneas that make other procedures difficult. 

LASIK, if you are eligible, is one of the most affordable corrective vision procedures. Because ICL is custom-created to match your eye, they can be pricier than LASIK, though financing options are available. 

Patient Eligibility for Implantable Contact Lenses

You are eligible for ICL surgery if: 

  • You are between the ages of 21 and 45
  • You have nearsighted vision with mild to severe myopia
  • You have not had a change in prescription of more than .5D in the past year
  • You are looking for a procedure that doesn’t create dry eye syndrome
  • You have enough endothelial cell density and adequate anterior chamber depth to perform the procedure safely

To you for certain if you’re eligible for ICL surgery and if it’s the best option for you, contact an experienced specialist to discuss. 

FAQs About Permanent Contact Lenses

How Long Do Permanent Contact Lenses Last?

ICL should last you for the rest of your life unless you decide to remove them. 

Corneal Transplant Surgery and Treatments

How Much Do Permanent Contact Lenses Cost?

The average cost of this procedure can range from $1,200 to $5,000, depending on a variety of factors. 

Does Insurance Cover ICL Surgery?

Unfortunately,  ICL is considered to be a cosmetic procedure, so it’s most likely that it will not be included in your insurance. However, Specialty Eye Institute has financing options available. 

What is the Age Limit for ICL Surgery? 

The age range for ICL surgery is 21-45 years old. 

Is LASIK or ICL Better?

Both LASIK and ICL have advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on which choice is the best for your specific situation. 

Can Permanent Contact Lenses Be Removed?

Yes. ICL surgery is completely reversible. 

Does ICL Surgery Give You 20/20 Vision?

While ICL surgery is designed to drastically improve your vision, there is no guarantee that you will be able to achieve 20/20 vision. 

Embrace a Clearer Future With Implantable Contact Lenses From Specialty Eye Institute

If you’re interested in ICL surgery or any other procedures, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Specialty Eye Institute. Our reliable team of experts is committed to providing an experience that exceeds expectations, whether you’re with us for a comprehensive eye exam or a life-changing procedure. 

At Specialty Eye Institute, we are dedicated to delivering the highest level of attention to your eye health. Our core values encompass:

  • Patient-Centered Advocate
  • Integrity
  • Excellence
  • Compassion

If you’re in need of excellent eye care, don’t hesitate to call us at (866) 435-8935 or schedule an appointment on our website. 

Filed Under: Blog

What Is Heterochromia? Everything You Need to Know

Man with heterochromia.(Two colored eyes)

The term heterochromia can sound a little intimidating to those who’ve never heard it before or don’t know what it is.  But, thankfully, the word is a lot scarier than the condition it represents. There’s a lot to know about heterochromia, so let’s unpack what exactly it is, the different types it can take the form of, what the causes are, the steps to take to diagnose it, and how to get treatment, if necessary.

What is Heterochromia?

Heterochromia is a rare and unique condition where a person’s eyes are two different colors. This can occur in one eye or affect parts of both eyes. Even dogs—like Huskies and Border Collies—can be seen with distinctively different colored eyes. The reason for this phenomenon is a rare condition that affects the iris and the melatonin that gives it its color. Heterochromia can be present at birth or develop later in life due to certain medical conditions or injuries.

Different Types of Heterochromia Eyes

There are three types of heterochromia: complete, central, and sectoral. It’s fairly easy to tell the difference between the three types, as each of them has their own unique physical appearance.

Complete Heterochromia Eyes

Complete heterochromia is the rarest type of the condition. It occurs when each eye is a fully different color than the other. For example, if one eye is completely green and the other is dark brown, this would be considered complete heterochromia.

Central Heterochromia Eyes

Central heterochromia occurs when the multi-coloration starts within the eye. There will be a different color near the pupil, but as it moves toward the edge of the iris, it shifts to a different color.  With central heterochromia, both eyes are typically affected in a similar manner.  For example, the color around the pupil could be brown and gradually switch to green around the edges. This type can be commonly confused with hazel eyes. However, the difference is that central heterochromia has two distinct colors in two specific areas, while hazel is a mixture of multiple colors throughout the iris.

Sectoral Heterochromia Eyes

Sectoral heterochromia, which can also be referred to as partial heterochromia, is the most varied of the types. It takes place when an eye has a secondary color that forms a “slice” or “wedge.” It can occur in one or both eyes and doesn’t necessarily manifest in both the same way. For example, one blue iris could have a thin slice of brown, while the other could have the brown take over a majority of the iris.

Woman with heterochromia

What Causes Heterochromia?

The causes of heterochromia typically depend on whether the condition is congenital, or if it’s acquired. Both exhibit in the same way, but at different times in a person’s life. The causes behind them can vary pretty drastically.

Congenital Heterochromia

Congenital heterochromia is when the condition is present at birth, or shortly after.  If it’s congenital, it is generally considered to be harmless and just caused by a genetic mutation. In these cases, the babies will be given an eye examination to rule out any underlying causes. While uncommon, it is possible that congenital heterochromia could be caused by other issues. The following examples are conditions that could manifest with heterochromia as an indication:

  • Horner’s syndrome: a rare condition that affects the eye and face due to disruption of sympathetic nerve supply.
  • Waardenburg syndrome:  a group of genetic conditions that can cause changes in coloring in skin, hair, and eyes.
  • Sturge-Weber syndrome: a neurological disorder that typically manifests in a port-wine birthmark, a brain abnormality, and excessive pressure in the eyes.
  • Piebaldism: a condition that is characterized by a lack of melanocytes (which create melatonin) in specific areas of a person’s hair and skin.
  • Bourneville disease (tuberous sclerosis): a hereditary disorder that can cause seizures, behavioral and developmental slowness, and a variety of diseases in the kidneys and lungs.
  • Hirschsprung disease: a birth defect in which nerve cells are missing from the infant’s large intestine.
  • Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome: an X chromosome-linked syndrome that manifests in abnormalities in a person’s skin, hair, eyes, teeth, and central nervous system.

Acquired Heterochromia

Acquired heterochromia is when the condition becomes present later in life, which is less common and more concerning. It can happen over time or rapidly due to the following factors:

  • Eye injury: any incident that can cause bruises, punctures, or scratches.
  • Eye surgery: typically due to intraocular surgery, like pars plana vitrectomy or cataract surgery.
  • Uveitis: inflammation inside the eye, generally due to a person’s body fighting an infection.
  • Glaucoma: a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve in the back of the eye, which can cause vision loss or blindness.
  • Glaucoma medication: an effect of the medication that can cause a person’s natural iris color to darken over time.
  • Diabetes: a chronic condition that affects how a person’s body transforms food into energy.
  • Eye tumors (benign or cancerous):  a collection of abnormally growing cells in a person’s eye.
  • Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO): a condition that occurs when a person’s main vein flowing from their retina is blocked by a blood clot.

Heterochromia Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis and treatment for heterochromia varies depending on a couple of factors surrounding the condition.  The condition itself is not harmful and does not need to be treated. The only changes to the body are aesthetic. If the condition is simply a genetic mutation, the symptoms can be covered by colored eye contacts if the iris color variations are undesired.

This is usually the case for congenital heterochromia. If the condition presents itself in infants, there is not generally a need or concern for treatment. As mentioned before, the baby would need to visit an eye specialist for an official diagnosis and to make sure there are no underlying causes that could be more serious. If one is found, it will be the underlying condition that will need to be treated.

As for acquired heterochromia that occurs later in life, a comprehensive eye exam will be necessary to find out what is causing the change in iris color. This underlying disease or condition will need to be pinpointed and treated. In these cases, heterochromia is not the cause of these conditions. Heterochromia can be a symptom that will alert a person to seek help for what could potentially be a more serious issue.

Comprehensive Eye Care From Specialty Eye Institute

From comprehensive, routine exams to cataract eye surgery and everything in between, Specialty Eye Institute’s physicians are here to take care of you. For over 40 years, we’ve been trusted as an innovative expert in the industry. We have accomplished this by always putting our patients first. We have a commitment to technology and research that allows us to be on the cutting edge of treatments.

Are you in need of comprehensive eye care? Whether you need a routine eye exam or treatment for a condition, take the leap to better vision and a clearer future by setting up an appointment at Specialty Eye Institute.

Dilated Pupils: What Is It, Causes, & Treatments

When to Worry About Dilated Pupils

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.

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