Unequal Pupils

I have recently been loading back up on Effexor XR and noticed that my pupils are uneven....maybe by 20% - 30% dependent on the lighting situation...has anyone else encountered this problem? This is not the first time this has happened to me and it seems to remedy itself...I mostly want to know I am not alone and therefore am not in need of immediate medical help.

[chigirl29]

I would see a doctor right away.  My doctor gave me Trazodone to help me sleep, and he put me on too high of a dose.  My left pupil was huge and the other was small.  I had IVs to help flush my system, and I asked to never be put on that again.

[chigirl29]

I would see a doctor right away.  My doctor gave me Trazodone to help me sleep, and he put me on too high of a dose.  My left pupil was huge and the other was small.  I had IVs to help flush my system, and I asked to never be put on that again.

[chigirl29]

I would see a doctor right away.  My doctor gave me Trazodone to help me sleep, and he put me on too high of a dose.  My left pupil was huge and the other was small.  I had IVs to help flush my system, and I asked to never be put on that again.

[Uneven]

Thanks, ChiGirl!

I have since spoken with a physician who advise me that as long as I am not having headache, eyeaches, blurred vision, or other abnormalities that I should see an Optometrist sooner than later but not to panic. I am eating, sleeping, can read just as always...just have a very mild differentiation in the size of my pupils. For the moment, at least, nothing else seems to be wrong.

I should also have mentioned that this is NOT the first time in my life this happened. I think this is about the third time I can recall this abnormality in the last 10 years or so...In about 2001, I saw a Neurologist and had an EEG and MRI done as well as a thorough Neurological exam...nothing was found in any of those. He did determine that I suffer from a mild case of Myoclonus and nothing more.

On Monday, I see my Psychiatrist and will make an appointment to see an Eye Doctors as soon as they can fit me in. I have never had an eye exam in my life.

[chigirl29]

Wow--didn't know about that.  I hope your eye exam goes well.  

[Rkk71]

I developed this problem after taking celexa. I also got floaters. Had an eye exam, conlcuded the difference in size was just a congenital thing I was born with....even though I didn't notice it for 23 years until now hmm...? I was on celexa for 2 months, I still have the uneven pupils and floaters almost a year later.

[Worrier747]

ME TOO!!! Well, kind of....about 15 months ago I cold turkey quit Paxil after taking it for about 8 months. I was a MESS! I ended up going back to SSRI's and tried Zoloft, Lexapro and Buspar and then ended up on nothing but with 2 uneven pupils! Mine are more noticeable in low light but it is almost always there to some degree. It's not DRASTIC but certainly noticeable. I have tried to talk to my doctors about it but they will not entertain the idea of this being caused by all the "messing around" with brain drugs that they had me doing! I have a clean brain MRI, normal bloodwork, normal complete dialated eye exam and normal Thyroid work-up so they just shrug their shoulders and move on to other things. I suspect the SSRI's are the culprit but when you have anxiety like I do, you sure would appreciate a more definite answer! I also am left with light sensitivity and "strange, almost distorted" vision on occassion.
I would LOVE to hear if others feel they have any long term (eye or other) effects from taking these meds! Against my better judgement I am back on Paxil and not real excited about it but when you're driving yourself and everyone around you CRAZY with your anxiety, it may be best for everyone! :)