Question
I have a somewhat unusual question. My face is somewhat blotchy the way it is, but after my eyes are dilated for an exam, it looks ten times worse when I look in a mirror. What would cause this, does the dilation somehow accentuate colors or cause them to be seen differently or is it my imagination? If dilation does do this, I'm guessing my skin only looks like that through my eyes and not through someone else's since theirs weren't dilated? Thanks
Answer
Hi Lee,
You could be sensitive to the dilating drops as they have a 'anticholinergic' side effect of possibly making your skin hot/flushed/red. Or it is just your vision. Easiest way to know is to take a picture before/after the drops and see if it shows up in the photo or just in your mirror.
Belowis an excerpt from Wiki:
Possible effects of anticholinergics include:
Ataxia; loss of coordination
Decreased mucus production in the nose and throat; consequent dry, sore throat
Xerostomia or dry-mouth with possible acceleration of caries
Cessation of perspiration; consequent decreased epidermal thermal dissipation leading to warm, ****blotchy, or red skin****
Increased body temperature
Pupil dilation (mydriasis); consequent sensitivity to bright light (photophobia)
Loss of accommodation (loss of focusing ability, blurred vision ? cycloplegia)
Double-vision (diplopia)
Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
Tendency to be easily startled
Urinary retention
Diminished bowel movement, sometimes ileus - (decreases motility via the vagus nerve)
Increased intraocular pressure; dangerous for people with narrow-angle glaucoma
Shaking
Best of luck,
Mitch Axelrod, OD
