Pupils

[Dirt_in_the_ground]

This might seem like a silly question,but when you have a seizure what happens to your pupils?
And when Dr's shine a light in them do they react to the light during a seizure.

I just want to know because I've never found out (you know because I'M the one have the seizure :lol.

So could someone tell me?
Thank you.

-Helen x

 

[Nakamova]

During seizures, the pupils dilate and stay that way even if a light is shone in them. (The normal reaction would be that both pupils would constrict). After the seizure, the pupils behave normally, though occasionally there may be transient dilation.

So EMTs or docs who shine a flashlight are looking to see if pupils are behaving normally (indicating that the seizure has stopped). They are also looking for symmetry -- both pupils should react the same. If they don't that may be a sign of injury to one or the other eye.

 

[Dirt_in_the_ground]

I was in hospital before and apparently during a seizure my pupils dilated.
I don't understand why that happened.
Do you have any idea why that is?
(they told me after the seizure)

 

[elizzza811]

This was my experience with pupil size...

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/seizures-pinpoint-pupils-pupil-size-11791/

I guess it's possible that my pupils did dilate again, once the seizure progressed, but I wasn't conscious enough to pay attention to their size after the seizure's onset. No way of telling.

 

[Nakamova]

Your pupils dilate when the muscles in your eyeballs stretch. Several things can cause this to happen, including when during a seizure (and/or any subsequent panic attack) , the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is activated. The SNS is the body's fight-or-flight system and prepares you if you need to flee, fight, run, etc. During the activation of the SNS, physiological responses such as an adrenaline rush and heart rate increases, there is increase in sweating, trembling, etc. Dilation of the pupils is another sign of SNS activation. A seizure is a version of this "flight or flight" scenario -- your body goes into overdrive and sends oxygen to the brain, your heart starts racing, your extremities turn blue, and your pupils dilate.

 

[drarvindr]

couldnt have said it better myself
:agree: with nak

 

[jyearta]

I am taking dilantin and clonazepam.

When my picture is taken, my pupils always looks like someone has scared me.

is this because of my medic. or the fact I have epilepsy?

 

[Nakamova]

Unless you are actually in the midst of a seizure, your pupils should appear normal in photographs. Their appearance can be affected by external factors: The ambient light during the photo, whether you are looking directly at the camera, whether a flash is used, and how close the flash is to your face. Do your pupils appear large or small? Do they show the red-eye effect? Do you appear startled even in photos where you are not looking directly at the camera?

 

[jyearta]

Unless you are actually in the midst of a seizure, your pupils should appear normal in photographs. Their appearance can be affected by external factors: The ambient light during the photo, whether you are looking directly at the camera, whether a flash is used, and how close the flash is to your face. Do your pupils appear large or small? Do they show the red-eye effect? Do you appear startled even in photos where you are not looking directly at the camera?

Thanks for your reply, it's only when I looking directly at the camera, again I never put that together.