Pupils Still Dilated Weeks After Atropine

[curio255]

It has been two weeks since I stopped using the Atropine drops for my Vitrectomy surgery, yet my pupils are still dilated. How long will this last?

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

4-6 weeks. In some cases the pupil is damaged and it does not return to same size as other eye

[curio255]

Okay, thank you Doctor. I hope it is not damaged.

[curio255]

Would washing the eye with saline solution a few times a day possibly help clear out the Atropine more quickly?

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

no

[curio255]

Okay, thank you.

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

=

[curio255]

Hi Doctor. Since it has now been over 3 weeks since I stopped the Atropine with no visible sign of any pupil contraction (operated eye pupil always stuck at 5 mm diameter while good pupil is typically at 2.5 mm), I called my doctor. His nurse responded, telling me that he said that it can take 3-6 months for the pupil to return to normal. Is this even feasible and would not such a time frame typically signify permanent damage to the pupil?

Kindly advise. Thank you doctor.

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

Time will tell by 6 months whatever position or shape the pupil is then it is likely permanent.  A fixed dilated pupil or a pupil larger than the unoperated eye is not rare after vitrectomy especially if there was previous trauma to the eye

[curio255]

Okay, hopefully it gets smaller by then. Thank you doctor.

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

You are welcome, if you celebrate Thanksgiving, have a happy one.