Bilateral pupil dilation

For past few weeks have experiencing dilated pupils and muscles around my feels heavy and difficult to control (if feels like my eye lids are widening involuntarily) and sometimes I have pressure accross the top of head as well. This appears to occur randomly but it is alot worse when I am nervous and in stressful situation. The pupil dilation is very pronounced to the extend that most people think I am illicit substances. A real problem at work. I am just not sure what do about it. I see Opthomalogist who feels I eyes are healthy and in a good condition. I have read around the net and I can find no cause for bilateral pupil dilation other than drugs which I am not taking. Can anyone offer support... it really starting to stress me out.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Some people, especially young people teens/20's, just have big pupils like some people have big feet or big noses.  When you are nervous, angry and fearful the pupils get even bigger.

Big pupils are considered by many as quite attractive.

JCH MD

[Infanta]

Thank you for message. I am well in my thirties and the problem with these dilating pupils is that give impression that I am 'on something'. Its raised eye brow at work and many have made remarks alluding to the facts I am on drugs. And, more recently I was refused into a bar because the door security though I was high on drugs. As you can see this is impact on my life is very negative way.

Do you think it worth seeing a someone about my thyroid. I would assume an active thyroid cause bilateral pupil dilation.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I would start out with a exam by a neuroophthalmologist. You can find one at www.aao.org

I have a cousin that all his life his pupils have been about 4 mm HUGE (he's a successful lawyer), also one of the ophthalmologists that I know has a son in law also with huge 4mm pupils

In the past women would crush certain plants and put the juice in their eyes to dilate the pupil the active ingrediants are called bella donna alkaloids ("buetiful lady")

JCH MD