Can Atropine last longer than 2-3 weeks after discontinuing use?

[LOFR]

I recently had a vitrectomy/scleral buckle operation to repair a RD. Everything happened so quickly and I didn't realized at the time how serious the event and the operation actually were. Basically, I went to my opthamologist after seeing a "dark curtain" coming down in the periphery of my visual field and I was told I had to have surgery the same day. I had not time to process what was going on. I was also told "everything will be fine" and only later found out about the cataract that would develop, the problems with vision even after the operation, the length of the recovery period, etc. I do CAD work and couldn't work - still having a hard time - on detailed computer stuff. I am now processing what happened, the risks going forward and adjusting to having a lower visual acuity than before (even with contacts to correct for the extreme nearsightedness that I now have).

I am sure I will have many questions but for now just this one: I have been off of the Atropine for 5 weeks and my pupil is still mildly (and noticeably) dilated. It has gone way down but is still much larger than that of the other eye. Has anyone out there had an extended pupil dilation after using Atropine that eventually - say 2-3 months, corrected? Thank you.

[JohnHaganMD]

Atropine lasts longer in blue/gray/green eyes and could take 8-10 wees to wear off completely. HOWEVER you should know that after RD and RD surgery the pupil can remain permanently dilated and bigger than the fellow uninjured eye. This may be due to trauma to the eye if trauma was the cause of the RD this is called traumatic iridoplegia. Second the RD surgery can cause the pupil to dilate and not be as small as before the surgery. this can be due to putting a scleral buckle around the eye or freezing the retina over nerves that control the size of the pupil. Only time will tell.

[LOFR]

Thank you! This is quite helpful. (My eyes are green so perhaps the pupil will eventually reduce in size a bit more.) My surgeon didn't give me any information when I asked about the pupil. I was simply told I could use Alphagan if I wanted to - I haven't used it yet because I wanted to research this prior to using a new med in my eye.

[JohnHaganMD]

If it's not troublesome you can wait a while longer to see if it is permanent.  Alphagan P helps some people not everyone. It's a glaucoma drop.  Some people use dilute pilocarpine not a good choice for most people especially with history of RD

[dj111]

Out of curiosity, has your dilation improved?

[JohnHaganMD]

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