Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 6/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: I had surgery yesterday morning -outpatient procedure
I was given general anesthesia And my pupils are very large and am having a hard time reading and focusing to write. Is this normal?

ANSWER: I don't know what kind of surgery you had but the pupillary enlargement is not due to the anesthesia (in fact most drugs we give cause pupillary constriction). If it doesn't go away over the next 8-12 hours, you should be seen by a physician.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I had breast augmentation surgery and like I said ever since I cannot focus to read or write with my eyes.  Could it be the Percocet I am on for pain?

Answer
I guess if your "doped up" on Percocet, then it could be hard to read but if this is still happening, you might want to see an opthalmologist. The only other thing I can think of (and it should have worn off by now) is if the anesthesiologist put Lacrilube in  your eyes during surgery.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston