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Pupil size (eyes) and epilepsy

Tue, 04/13/2010 - 20:04

Having a seizure temporarily changes pupil size for some persons.  Is it more common for a seizure to dilate the pupil or shrink the pupil?  Why?  Do many persons experience no change in eye pupil size during a seizure?  Insights?  Experiences?

Comments

Re: Pupil size (eyes) and epilepsy

Submitted by sonettidamore on Wed, 2010-04-14 - 17:04
Yes. From my first seizure as a child, my mom noticed that my pupils were so dialated she couldn't see my iris color anymore. I'd say, "I can't see. I can't see." It still happens to me still that, just before I black out, my vision closes in on me. Even if people aren't that close to me to see my eyes at that moment, I'm sure that's what's happening. Good luck to you.

Re: Pupil size (eyes) and epilepsy

Submitted by 3Hours2Live on Wed, 2010-04-14 - 20:16
Hi pgd, Bilateral mydriasis (large pupils) is more common with my seizures, while unilateral mydriasis (or anisocoria) is now more common with my migraines. Constricted pupils (miosis) sometimes resulted from medications, and/or changes, complications. Google "pupil size conditioning" to find all the bizarre effects this frequent aspect of minor simple partial seizures has on social interactions and body language. Tadzio

Re: Pupil size (eyes) and epilepsy

Submitted by Mrpibbs on Thu, 2010-04-15 - 02:46

Hey there,

For me, my pupils become massive during, and sometimes a little before/after a seizure.  Now, this doesn't happen when I have Absence seizures, but it does during Partial/Complex ones.  Of course during those seizures I do bizarre things, so it's common for people to think i'm on drugs, even though i'm not on anything (other than medications, of course).

 Now, why that is, I have no idea.  Maybe it's where in the brain the seizures occur, that's my best guess.  I've never had a seizure shrink them though...

And to answer another question, yes, there are people who's eyes are perfect fine during seizures, my friend in particular who has Grand Mal seizures never has eye changes during them.

 

But yes, from my experience, it's very problematic having pupil changes during a seizure.  I get alot of negative stigma from staring eyes whenever I have one.

Hey there,

For me, my pupils become massive during, and sometimes a little before/after a seizure.  Now, this doesn't happen when I have Absence seizures, but it does during Partial/Complex ones.  Of course during those seizures I do bizarre things, so it's common for people to think i'm on drugs, even though i'm not on anything (other than medications, of course).

 Now, why that is, I have no idea.  Maybe it's where in the brain the seizures occur, that's my best guess.  I've never had a seizure shrink them though...

And to answer another question, yes, there are people who's eyes are perfect fine during seizures, my friend in particular who has Grand Mal seizures never has eye changes during them.

 

But yes, from my experience, it's very problematic having pupil changes during a seizure.  I get alot of negative stigma from staring eyes whenever I have one.

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