When pupils are dilated, patients are advised to avoid driving and performing other life-threatening tasks. What to do: Pupils will usually return to their normal size within 3 to 8 hours, however pupils may remain dilated for up to a day in some people. Some patients may also report blurry vision and increase light sensitivity upon using these eye drops. This allows for better visualization within the eye. Certain eye dropsĮye Drops that are used specifically for ophthalmologic tests will purposely dilate the pupils. The doctor may recommend analgesics, like acetaminophen or NSAIDs, to be used as prescribed. What to do: In this case, pupil dilation tends to resolve once the pain is managed. These cases may also cause other symptoms, like fast heart rate and rapid breathing.

Pain caused by direct blows, kidney stones or surgery, for example, can lead to dilated pupils, depending on pain intensity. What to do: Dilated pupils caused by increased mental alertness are not a medical problem, as the pupils usually return to their normal size within a few minutes, once the body relaxes. However, pupil circumference is not a reliable or measurable indicator of sexual desire or attraction. Stressful, tense or fearful situations can lead to increased mental alertness, which can dilate both pupils and cause other symptoms like an accelerated heart rate, rapid respiration and pallor.Ī physical attraction may also provoke a similar mental status, leading to dilated pupils.

Dilated eyes