What is a pupil dilation?
Pupil dilation, also called mydriasis, is the dilation of the pupil in one or both eyes. In ophthalmology, pupil dilation is often induced artificially with the help of special eye drops. The patient is administered eye drops which cause the pupil sphincter muscle (Musculus Sphincter Pupillae) to be temporarily paralyzed. This measure enables the doctor to assess the fundus of the eye, for example, and thus detect diseases or changes in the eye.
Indication
Pupil dilation by the ophthalmologist is used in diagnostics on the one hand, but also in the treatment of certain eye diseases on the other hand. Diagnostically, it is often used in children to perform a so-called skiascopy. This examination, which is performed with a dilated pupil, allows an objective assessment of defective vision.
Ophthalmoscopy is also performed with a dilated pupil. In this case the fundus of the eye can be assessed. This is particularly important in order to detect diseases of the retina, for example as a long-term consequence of diabetes mellitus, and those of the optic nerve and vessels.
In addition, pupil dilation is used in some forms of therapy. If there is inflammation within the eye, the iris is often also affected. During the course of the disease, the iris may become stuck to the pupil (so-called synechia).
To prevent this, the pupils are dilated. This can significantly reduce the likelihood of adhesions, as the pupil and iris become closer together. In addition, the adaptation of farsighted people to glasses can initially also be carried out with the help of pupil dilating eye drops, since especially in the case of long untreated farsightedness the pupil sphincter muscle develops a kind of cramp in order to be able to see close up permanently. This cramp is released by the pupil dilation and the eye can adapt to the glasses. Learn more about this topic under:
- Anisocoria
- Pupils of different sizes
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