One Pupil Dilated

[TheCFiles]

I went to a Sleep Center yesterday for a sleep disorder, and the Dr. examining me noticed that my left pupil was dilated about twice the size of the right one.

He asked if anyone had told me that-and they haven't.  I have never noticed that to happen ever before in my life.

I asked what it meant, and he was rather dismissive and didn't seem to take it too seriously.  But he was interested enough to make his two residents look at my pupils.  (This was a University affiliated Medical Center, a teaching hospital).

He did tell me that if it was sudden onset, it could be something dangerous like a brain bleed or a stroke.  He rather offhandedly suggested I might want to tell my Dr. and have an MRI done.  But again, didn't seem overly concerned.

So naturally this scared me and I did research online.  Almost every case with my symptoms seems to indicate a ruptured Aneuryism or stroke.  But, some research did say it could be due to stress and sleep deprivation, both of which I had a great deal the last few days due to anxiety about this appointment.  But I noticed I was having a lot more physical anxiety than usual the night before and day of this appt. yesterday, and a great deal of confusion and trouble processing information.  I felt horrible.  My mind was very confused and perceptions distorted, as in physical anxiety being acute.

I am guessing it's probably more due to stress and sleep deprivation.  I tried a Lunesta the night before, and it only gave me 3 hours of sleep before causing so much anxiousness I couldn't sleep the rest of the night.  I later found out a great deal of the physical anxiety/confusion I have been experiencing is likely due to side effects from the Lunesta, as a lot of people have the same problems and it was noticeable compared to normal.

Should I be worried about the dilated pupil?  It's still there.  I am also having a really bad headache, but feels more like sinus but it's painful.  I am very dizzy, and eyes are extremely light sensitive all of a sudden.  I can't tell how much of this is stress/sleep deprivation and/or side effects from the Lunesta, which can cause similar symptoms.  My father currently has a bad head cold, and I figured I was catching it as some sort of URI or sinus thing.

Any ideas?  I did try calling my main Dr. to ask his opinion about the pupil, and whether I should check it out with a Neurologist but he never called me back yesterday.  I am leery about spending a lot of money on a Neurologist and  MRI without health insurance (2 to 3 grand maybe?) if it's not really necessary.  But the pupil is lasting a long time, since it was diagnosed this morning so I am wondering.  Also-the research said sometimes higher doses of antihistamine could cause one dilated pupil, and I did take two doses of Benedryl to sleep that night.  But it's never done this before and it wore off hours ago.

What should I do?  Just watch and see what happens?  If it were something as serious as a stroke or brain bleed, wouldn't I know by now?

Thanks for any help.

[Scooter3]

I work in ophthalmology. Don't take this lightly. This can be very serious. Why do you think they always check your pupils after an accident or in an emergency. It is a good indicator of brain involvement. If your pupil is blown (meanng it is large and doesn't constrict and become smaller in brighter light conditions) this could be urgent. If I were you I would show up TODAY at a ophthalmology clinic and demand to be seen. Do not see an optometrist. It needs to be an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist can rule out causes and refer you for care. The other choice would be to go directly to an neurologist. If you can't find someone, I would go to a hospital ER, not an urgent care clinic, but a hospital ER. They will be trained to be suspicious of a blown pupil.

Don't take this lightly. It may be that your doctor didn't believe what he was seeing. Let me know what you find out.

[TheCFiles]

Thank you for your help.

Not sure the pupil is 'blown'.  It's roughly twice the size of the right one.  It does constrict immediately with light, but then adjusts back to twice the size after a moment.  When I was looking at it in the mirror during daylight, I had to cover that eye to get it to go back to the larger size because light was making it constrict.  It is still quite round, not oblong.

I am thinking it might be related to serious sleep deprivation and stress, as I had a terrible night the night before and only got about 3 hours of sleep.  Plus the Lunesta caused severe side effects including anxiety and confusion.  So that was affecting me physically.  I also took a double dose of Benedryl that night, (a few hours apart) and that can apparently cause this as well.

I am also wondering if it were something as serious as a brain bleed or stroke, wouldn't I have known by now?  I sure hope it isn't something just waiting to happen!

Thanks again-will keep an eye on it.  Not particularly fond of my Eye Doctor, but if I have to go see him I can.  Not sure he could tell me if it's neurological or not tho.

[TheCFiles]

An update:

I am taking Scooter's advice and going to see my Eye Doctor this morning.

Although I am pretty sure the dilated pupil isn't anything serious, it's been causing anxiety due to worrying about it.

So I decided to check it out the easiest way and go to my Eye Doctor, who could fit me in quickly and doesn't cost much.

Will update again if I find out anything.

[TheCFiles]

Another update:

My Eye Doctor was great, did a thorough exam (for this issue), even including a glaucoma repeat test.  Looked inside eyes thoroughly.  Even got out some old medical reference books to look it up--but couldn't really find anything wrong.

Since I have a head cold/possible sinus infection, we decided a lot of the symptoms I am having are probably due to the sinus thing.  Dizziness, sinus-type headache, light sensitivity, etc.  He thinks the dilated pupil is most likely associated with the sinus infection as well.  Which does make sense to me, as my left sinus area is more affected than the right sinus area in terms of symptoms.

So he checked everything thoroughly, still perplexed but came to the conclusion that most likely it was just a sinus issue.  He also checked my back charts, and found that in 1996 he had reported my left pupil being slightly bigger than my right pupil.  So I have had this before, just not as dramatic.  Currently my left pupil is about 2/3 mm bigger than the right.  So that was comforting; as it could just be physiological for me triggered by the sinus problems, stress and sleep deprivation.

He also gave me the name of a really good Neuro-Ophthamologist, if I still have the dilated pupil in a week.  He said I should check with either a Neurologist or Neuro-Ophthamologist, but then decided to give me the referral to the second guy.  So if it isn't cleared up in a week, I can go there to check it out further.  

Felt very well taken care of, and really glad I went in today!  The Eye Doctor was so nice, and seemed genuinely concerned into checking it out as best he could.  He also told me if I noticed anything unusually strange, to go see the other guy.

Thanks Scooter for the advice to checking with my Eye Doctor.  He was less expensive, and easier to get in quickly than a GP or Neurologist would have been.  And he seemed to know what he was doing.  So far I have avoided expensive tests or Doctor visits.

Appreciate the help!

[Scooter3]

So glad that you got it checked out. I have been thinking about you since I read it. Don't hesitate to make that second appointment if the pupil is still larger. Is your current eye doc an OD ir an MD?

One other thought? Do you have any eye pain or redness? Sometimes a condition call iritis can cause a dilated pupil. You are at high risk of this if you have arthritis. It is an inflammatory condition.

[TheCFiles]

I don't remember the exact title of my Eye Doctor, but he's very good and I have no reason to doubt his competency.  He did a thorough exam, and even looked up old medical books trying to help.  He also gave me a very good referral.  He went to UCSD Medical School, which is very good.

No, I don't have any eye pain or redness in the eye.  I do have general headache pain, because I have a sinus infection from an URI.  That is probably causing my headache, congestion, dizziness and light sensitivity.  Now I am into the itching/sneezing part of the sinuses as well.

It isn't Iritus, that is something else that the Eye Doctor would have recognized.  That would be inflammation of the eye and the inside of my eyes looked fine.  He did also note that I had a larger left pupil in the past, which could indicate this is normal physiology for me at certain times.  No, I don't have any sort of arthritis.  Are you sure you didn't mean Uveitis?  That would involved inflammation of the eye and tissues.

Thanks again for helping.  The pupil is still pretty dilated today, Saturday and in fact it looks a bit larger.  But I am extremely sick with the cold/sinus infection, and didn't sleep well last night.  The sinus symptoms are very acute and that could very well be causing the pupil to be so dilated.  Also, it can be caused by sleep deprivation and stress which  I have had a lot of lately.

[Scooter3]

Your doc is an MD or DO  if he went to medical school. Good to know. Some people don't know that optometrists (ODs) have a degree more related to optics and glasses refracting. They refer out for eye health issues.

Yes, I did mean iritis. It is inflammation of the iris. It it usually causes headache, light sensitivity, and pupil dilation. Sometimes it is the first sign that someone has an autoimmune inflammatory disease. Many patients alrady had been diagnoised with arthritis. Many autoimmune diseases overlap and are related to each other. Whenever we had a patient with iritis that had never been diagnoised with an inflammatory condition, we referred them to a Rheumatologist. (Some of the inflammatory autoimmune diseases are Arthritis, Scleroderma (some types never effect the skin), Lupus, Fibromyalgia (suspected), and others).

If it turns out that you do have iritis, you should look into seeing a rhuem. Some autoimmune diseases have sleep disorders as a symptom, as well as neurological problems. You really have to be your own advocate because these types of diseases are often missed unless they are obvious (like arthritis).

Let me know how it goes. I am hoping for you that this is not brian issue.

[TheCFiles]

Thanks Scooter;

Strangely enough I do have a pretty chronic and severe auto-immune type skin disease of some kind, which I have lived with for about a decade.  Never really diagnosed but have seen about 12 doctors over the years.

It has never affected my eyes though, and it isn't  anything arthritic.  It's more from the Immune System, causing a severe inflammation to the nerve endings in my skin.  I do need to see a Rheumatologist for that when I can, as my Derms have not really been able to diagnose and cure it or manage it well.

Funny you mentioned a Rheum--I have one all lined up, but very expensive and with no health insurance I have to space these things out.  Hoping he can pinpoint what is going on and suggest appropriate treatment instead of guessing as my current Dr. does.

I am really sick with a URI and sinus infection, and that is probably contributing to the eye thing.  It's really hitting my sinuses hard.

But I wonder if seeing a specialist for the eye might lead to figuring out anything with my skin?  I've been tested for Lupus, and all sorts of other diseases but nothing so far.  Also the sleep element is interesting added in--I just went to the UCSD Sleep Center for that, but not sure about the treatment plan.  

Thanks so much for all your contributions!  They are very helpful.  If the eye isn't better by Friday (a week after my Eye Doctor) I will probably schedule with the Neuro-Ophthamologist.  But appointments are very difficult for me right now with the sleep disorder, and just got hit full blown with the cold so I don't really want to be sneezing in the face of another eye guy LOL.

Thanks for all the helpful tips--I've been wondering if there is a connection with all these symptoms.  I have clinical depression, OCD and anxiety (GAD), so who knows.

I am also wearing off a really bad reaction to Lunesta, which I took ONE pill the night before my sleep appt. so I could make a morning appt.  It caused horrible anxiety, confusion, depression etc. and is taking time to wear off.  I still don't feel like myself.  That might be affecting everything as well.

PS:  Not sure exactly what my Eye Doctor is, but he's very good and highly recommended in the community.  He went to UCSD Med School (I went to UCSD too and know it's a good University).  He doesn't dilate for exams however.  But he really checked me out the other day.  He's probably an Optometrist, but he referred me immediately to an eye specialist if the problem continued.

[TheCFiles]

PS:  Some other inflammatory auto-immune diseases are:

Guillian Barre (parasympathetic nervous system)
Myasthenia Gravis (muscles/tendons)
Bechet's Disease (blood vessels/vasculitis)
Kawasaki Disease (blood vessels/vasculitis)

(I'm a big fan of Mystery Diagnosis LOL).

[Scooter3]

any update? Is your pupil still dilated?

[TheCFiles]

Hi;

I was waiting to update until I saw the specialist, but not sure when that would be.

Yes, the left pupil is still quite dilated.  It's about the same, sometimes can be pretty large.

But I also still have sinus problems, the remnants of a cold and possible sinus infection which may be contributing.  I have been waiting to give it some time to see if it clears up.  And my sinuses are still affected.  I have been taking low dose Keflex to help clear up the sinus infection, hopefully and not done with that yet.

My next step would be to see the Neuro-Ophthamologist, but it's expensive and where I just had to go to the UCSD Sleep Center (a drive) so not thrilled about that.  I did email that office to ask their opinion whether it was something that needed to be seen ASAP, or whether I should just give it some more time and see if it was sinus-related.  I haven't received a response, but just sent the email Friday morning.

Meanwhile I emailed my Dermatologist whom I have known for years, and gave him an update about all this.  Especially with the possible connection to eye inflammation and an auto-immune disease affecting my skin.  I told him I would let him know if this specialist found out anything significant related to my skin.

But my Eye Doctor already thoroughly examined my eye, and found nothing wrong inside or any signs of inflammation.  So who knows.  It can be caused by stress and sleep deprivation, both of which I have high amounts of currently.  He also seemed to think it mostly likely sinus-related, so I am not too worried about it.  Some medications can also cause it, and I take a lot of Benedryl at night.

I seem to be doing fine with the dilated pupil, being about 10 days since it was diagnosed.  Still experiencing some confusion, memory lapses, and what feels like minor cognitive impairment; but I believe they are related to the drug reaction I had 10 days ago also which caused the same symptoms.

So-waiting to see what happens this week, if the pupil continues to be dilated I will probably make an appt. to see the Neuro-Ophthamologist.  But so close to Christmas, and with a major sleep disorder appointments are very difficult for me.  I can never sleep the night before.

Thanks for your concern....

[Scooter3]

I have been in Ophthalmology for 25 years and have never heard of an oral medication, sinus infection, or even stress causing only 1 eye to be dilated. ( I work for a pharma and medical device company and manage departments related to researching surgical complications). I just checked wiith the girl in the office next to me concerning this. She has a doctorate in pharmacy. She agrees with me, that oral meds will not cause only 1 eye to be dilated.

I am not a doctor, but it is my job to investigate and help opththalmologists understand complications and work through them. If I had a physician with a patient with your symptoms, I would immediately refer to a neuro-ophthalmologist as part of my investigation.

You may also want to look up Horner's Syndrome and see if the profile fits your symptoms.

Keep me posted. I work in research but I am forever curious. Good luck.

[TheCFiles]

It's in the research.  Which if you work in research, you should be aware of.

I Googled quite a bit about this, and there is quite a lot of medical research that shows factors such as stress, sleep deprivation and certain medications can cause one eye to be dilated.  Even my Doctor thought it was related to sinuses.

They can't all be wrong.

[TheCFiles]

""Answer:

You may have physiologic anisocoria which is a fancy way of saying that your pupils are unequal in size. This occurs more at times of stress, especially when there's a lack of sleep. It is thought that people who get headaches often, particularly migraines, may be more prone to this condition. Don't be concerned unless you notice that your near vision is blurred or reduced in the eye with the bigger pupil. If that occurs, see your optometrist or ophthalmologist to determine the cause.""

(Taken directly from medical research).  There were also other research sources I came across that repeated the same information, also adding that certain medications can cause a dilated pupil.

Which I have done thoroughly, and have no inflammation in my eye or altered/blurry vision.  He also suggested it was probably related to the sinuses, and possibly medication as meds CAN cause one eye to be dilated.  Benedryl is on the list, he asked me how much of that I have been taking as obviously it was a possible factor.

I tend to think Doctors are more experienced than Pharmacologists and research assistants.  Unless you are a Doctor, you can't possibly diagnose someone on the Internet and even then it would be hard without their complete medical history and seeing the person in real life.

Anyway-I have a great referral to a Neuro-Ophthamologist which assures me my Eye Doctor is very competent and I am fine.  Having one eye dilated can be physiological, and benign especially in connection with stress and sleep deprivation, sinus problems etc.  I haven't had any symptoms so far living with it for about 12 days now.  And I have had my left eye larger than my right previously in the past, with no problems.

[Scooter3]

You can find much in literature that you rarely see in real life. Again, I have never seen this in relation to oral meds in the patients I have examined or in investigating visual complication cases that surgeons have referred to me.

I am not a research assistant. I am a medical professional who has worked in opththalmology for 20 years, 10 of which was in a clinic examining eyes, then training surgeons in surgical techniques and complication management in over 40 countries, including most states in the US. The last 2 years of my career have been over departments that investigate visual complications and teach surgeons what they are missing. But as I said before, I am not a doctor. If you were one of the surgeons that had contacted me concerning a patient, I would have recommended a neuro evaluation.  

You are correct in stating that the "aniso" as we call it, may be benign. It is also correct that it may not be. Anytime there is a hint of neurological involvement I always advise ophthalmologists to rule it out.

No need to update as I can see from the progression of your posts that you have worked through this question and have come to your solution. Best of luck to you and may you the answers that bring you good health.

[TheCFiles]

Well if I want to update, I will.

Wanting to help is one thing.  But crossing the line to start arguing with known, wide-spread medical research and Doctors who work in the field and are very educated and experienced, is another.

When you start claiming experts are wrong, and you know more than they do-it's offensive.

I also don't appreciate questioning my own Doctors over and over, and claiming to know more than they do and more than is known in standard research.  If you truly worked in research and in all the fields you claim, you would know the things I said were absolutely true and commonly known.  My Doctor did.

Again, I trust the Doctors over people on the Internet who think they know more than they actually do.  People have a tendency online sometimes to 'make themselves feel important' by professing knowledge or claiming to something that isn't appropriate.

Happy Holidays.

[Scooter3]

You are the only person I have ever written to on this forum. All other posts have been questions, mostly related to thyroid problems. I return to this forum for answers, not to give advice. Your question caught my eye (no pun intended). I should have passed it  by. But then again, you gave me a good laugh! Good health (and sleep) to you.

[TheCFiles]

Thanks to everyone who read and helped....

I will keep the forum updated whenever I am able to make it to a specialist.  (It isn't easy without health insurance).

Contrary to what certain people might think, I certainly 'haven't come to my conclusion' and still need to see someone about the eye when I am able to.  Meanwhile I am giving it some time to see if it's related to other issues.  One step at a time.  I really don't care to spend about $1,500 - $2,000 on an MRI if it isn't necessary.

And I don't consider having serious health issues 'funny', or making people laugh.

Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year.

[Jules77733]

This can also be an indication that the prescription in both eyes isn't the same...as in, the vision in one eye (the more dilated one) is worse than the vision the less dilated eye. I have this problem, though it's much more subtle, and only noticeable if I'm not wearing my contacts or glasses. I've also noticed it in other people, but the fact that yours wasn't subtle might mean that it had something to do with an episode involving your brain, as has been suggested.

If your eye is remaining this way over the next few weeks...I would definitely urge that you get to a neuro-opthamalogist as soon as possible.

[TheCFiles]

Thank you Jules, I am definitely considering that as my next step.

I had my eyes checked twice late last year, and again just about a week ago when I saw my Eye Doctor about the dilated pupil.  It seemed to be fine.

I will probably go see the Neuro-Ophthamologist when I have a chance, hopefully when things settle down a bit.  Hoping to wait until after the Holidays and see how it goes.  Hopefully he wouldn't be as expensive as a Neurologist and an MRI!

The sinus infection/cold virus does seem to be clearing up fairly well, so giving it some time to see what happens.  But I will make the appointment if I have to, I can't just leave a dilated eye unattended.  It is still dilated, although it doesn't seem as large as it was before.

Thanks for your help and concern!

[TheCFiles]

Hey-I looked at my eye in the morning light, and it seems to be going back down!

It's still larger than the other, but not too much.  And it was rapidly constricting/unconstricting in the sunlight, sort of pulsating.  So it's very responsive to light.

Hoping this is a good sign?  Maybe it was related to the sinus thing.

[TheCFiles]

Another update:

Well, the left eye is still dilated.  Sometimes it doesn't look too much larger than the right eye, but other times it is huge.

Guess I will have to see that Neuro-Ophthamologist sometime after the Holidays, if I can.  Unfortunately my skin chose this point in time to flare up on my face, which makes it very hard to make such an appointment as it's embarrassing.  I have a lot of inflamed areas (red lesions/blotches) on my face at the moment, which need to heal.  From whatever auto-immune condition I have that affects my skin.

The dilated eye doesn't really seem to be hurting anything, but I still have some symptoms of a residual sinus infection (which is going around this area); and a slight headache from that.  It hasn't cleared up completely yet.  I also still have some minor cognitive impairment/distortions and confusion, which could be anxiety wearing off from a drug reaction on Dec. 2, along with major sleep deprivation from my sleep disorder.

I guess will try to post if I ever can make it to the specialist.  I didn't think a Neuro-Ophthamologist would actually put me through a CT Scan or MRI, as he isn't a Neurologist.  But then I read on some forums that other people who went to one for similar reasons had to have those tests.  Ugh--that is intimidating, especially with no health insurance!  I honestly don't think I could cope with an MRI.  I am hypersensitive to loud sounds, and startle very easily.  I doubt I could remain still throughout the lengthy process.

[Jules77733]

Even if the Neuro-opthalmalogist orders an MRI or a CT scan, you don't have to have it done.

I had a Neuro-opthamalogist take a look at me recently, and he put me through a three-hour long evaluation (including a good 20 - 30 minutes spent in the waiting room while the eye drops took effect; though he decided to have the drops put in my eyes when the first tests he did weren't conclusive...so it might not have been standard procedure). I'm just mentioning this because it might help you determine the potential cost of visiting one while you don't have health insurance. Then again, I pointed out that I had an MRI done in the past, and the Neuro-opthamalogist asked to take a quick look at it...he didn't seem too interested in it, especially because the tests he put me through led him to believe my diagnosis was not neurological in nature, where as yours might be.

What is the sleep disorder that you have, and has it been diagnosed by a sleep specialist (typically, an ENT)? I'd be interested to hear about this, having been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, myself.

[TheCFiles]

Hi Jules;

Sorry for the delay in responding, I haven't been checking this forum for awhile.  I didn't think anyone was posting.

Well, if an MRI were required I would definitely have to have it done, as what if something was wrong neurologically?  But I appreciate your advice.  I think I would be scared if a Dr. told me an MRI was necessary, and I didn't follow through with it.  

Sometimes you can negotiate with hospitals without having health insurance, for lower rates.  At least they now have open MRIS that are much quieter, so I wouldn't be as afraid.

But most likely I wouldn't need one.  My Derm took a look at it, and referred me to a much easier Ophthamologist that is located very close to where I live.  He's a regular MD Eye Doctor, and that sounds so much easier than having to go to a very expensive Neuro-Ophthamologist who probably would require an MRI (My Derm told me).

So that is my next step, as it's much easier to get to this regular Ophthamologist and he could do a complete eye exam with dilation which I haven't had done since I was really young probably.

My Derm thinks that my dilated pupil is probably nothing, and suggested this guy as he isn't as expensive and could probably rule it out without expensive tests and such.  Turns out my own Eye Doctor is an Optometrist, so it would be beneficial to see an Ophthamologist now.

So that's my next step, I already called to get info such as cost, etc. and it's an excellent eye care center.  They can get me in quite quickly for something like this too.  They even have discounts for cash patients.

Unfortunately, I have other health issues which are complicating making that appointment.  I have some sort of severe auto-immune skin disease, and it's been flaring considerably on my face and neck which is embarrassing to me with an Eye Doctor right in my face!  Unfortunately it's also been affecting my feet, making it difficult to walk at the moment.  So I am waiting for these areas to hopefully heal to a manageable level.  

As for your sleep question...I have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, by a very expert (and expensive!) sleep specialist at UCSD Medical Center.  This guy is about the best in the area, and has specialized in 4 different fields including sleep medicine and pulmonology.  He's the one that discovered the dilated pupil.  (Usually it's better to go to a sleep physician or sleep center, an ENT doesn't really treat sleep disorders).

Anyway, I have a Circadian Rhythm disorder called Delayed Phase Shift, where my body clock has shifted up several hours to become backwards from normal.  Treatment is from a certain light box, that regulates the circadian rhythm and resets the body clock.  (Uses light cues to the pineal gland and the hypothalumus).  

I bought the light box which is the brand new "Bluewave technology" and the best on the market, but have yet to use it.  Unfortunately, the instructions for the light box say if you have any eye problems or issues with eye health to NOT use the light treatment until it's checked out by an Eye Doctor.

So it's quite a cycle!  I can't use the box until I check out the eye further, and I can't get any real sleep until I use the box and I can't make appointments without being able to sleep and with my skin flaring so badly.  I can barely walk right now, although it tends to heal quickly.

The standard treatment for my Delayed Phase Shift (which I've had for several years) is mainly the light box used at certain times, and Melatonin.  I can't take Melatonin as I tried it before and couldn't tolerate the side effects.  So I am supposed to be using the light box by itself.  But I can't until I make sure it's safe with the eye dilated.  This light box is much safer than most, as it is narrow-band blue light and has no UV or dangerous side effects.  But I don't want to risk damaging my eyesight until I know it's safe to use.

If you have apnea, the CPAP seems to be the treatment of choice.  They diagnose a lot of that at the UCSD Sleep Center I went to.  People have had amazing results using the oxygen at night, and it can really change your life and improve it considerably.  So if that was recommended treatment--it's worth a try.  Mine is more of a body clock issue, and needs light to reset the neurotransmitters properly.  

So I am in a holding pattern currently, waiting for the skin to heal enough to make it to the Ophthamologist (regular MD) to check out the eye.  Then if he says it's nothing serious, I can start using the Phillips M2GoLite for the sleep disorder.  It's all just a cycle right now.

Currently, the left eye is still dilated.  It never really went away.  Sometimes it seems smaller, but then other times it still seems fairly large.  It doesn't seem to be as drastic as when it was first diagnosed, when it was twice as big as the right eye.  It might just be benign meaning normal to my body.

Anyway-just really relieved I talked to my Derm (who is basically my primary physician now as I've known him for years) about the eye.  He told me about this really excellent Ophthamologist, which is so much easier than trying to see a Neurologist and Neuro-Ophthamologist.  And he probably wouldn't require an MRI being done.  The other two most likely would.

Honestly, I would be interested to have an MRI as I've never had one, but they are so expensive.  I've often wondered if there might be a neurological connection to my auto-immune disease, sleep disorder and depression/anxiety I've had for years.  I would have been afraid of the old MRI machines-but my Derm told me they have newer open MRIs now that are really great, and much quieter so that would be less traumatic.  It would be a relief to rule out anything neurological, but again I wouldn't want to spend that kind of money unless it was absolutely necessary.

I live in California; and unfortunately our state is so broke it is cutting back and shutting down state health programs, primarily for the blind, disabled and elderly.  Which means I probably wouldn't quality for Medicaid as the system is too bankrupt.

Thanks for the information, I will try to update this forum whenever I can make it to that new Eye Doctor.  I am thinking since he's really good, if I like him I may stick with him instead of my current Optometrist.  I've always felt slightly dissatisfied with him, although he's very good and really helped me with the eye thing.  It's more of a personality thing.