Your pupil naturally enlarges and contracts based on the intensity of the light around you and whether you are looking at near or far objects.

Stimulation of the autonomic nervous system’s sympathetic branch, known for triggering “fight or flight” responses when the body is under stress, induces pupil dilation. Whereas stimulation of the parasympathetic system, known for “rest and digest” functions, causes constriction.

Muscles in the colored part of your eye, called the iris, control your pupil size. Your pupils get bigger or smaller, depending on the amount of light around you. In low light, your pupils open up, or dilate, to let in more light. When it’s bright, they get smaller, or constrict, to let in less light.

Pulsating pupils As long as your pupils continue to react to light normally then there should be no lasting problems. However, if you are experiencing other symptoms such as pain, dizziness or nausea you should get an eye test from a professional optometrist to check whether there are any underlying issues.

What causes dilated pupils?

• Medications. The following prescription and non-prescription medicines can cause your pupils to dilate and affect their ability to react to light:
• Eye injury.
• Brain injury or disease.
• Recreational drug use.
• Benign episodic unilateral mydriasis.
• Adie’s pupil.
• Congenital aniridia.
• Sexual attraction.

Drugs and medications that can cause dilated pupils are:

• Methamphetamines and other amphetamines.
• Antihistamines (Including cold and allergy medications)
• Atropine.
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• Cocaine.
• Marijuana.
• LSD.
• Heroin withdrawal.

Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you have dilated pupils as a result of injury or associated with other symptoms. If your dilated pupils are persistent or recurrent or cause you concern, seek prompt medical care.

Eye dilation is an important part of a complete eye exam, but it may take up to 6 hours for the effects to wear off.

Do your pupils dilate when you look at someone you like? In a way – yes. Dopamine causes your pupils to dilate (widen) as a side effect. So, it’s possible that when you look at a loved one and notice their pupils are dilated, it’s a sign they have strong feelings for you.

Slower pupil reaction–Alcohol causes the iris toconstrict and dilate at a much slower speed.

For example, after just 24 hours of no alcohol, your blood sugar levels will normalise and blurred vision caused by alcohol intake will disappear. “The longer you abstain you may also notice your eyes become brighter and whiter, as your body counteracts damage/yellowing of the sclera – the white part of your eye.

Alcohol slows down the communication between the eyes and the brain. This can cause double vision, decrease reaction time of pupils and impair the ability to see color shades. Unsightly appearance.

Common signs of intoxication indicated by the eyes include: Changes in pupil size, either constricted or dilated. Nystagmus, or rapid involuntary movements of the eyeballs. Conjunctival redness, or bloodshot eyes.

The average urine test can detect alcohol between 12 and 48 hours after drinking. More advanced testing can measure alcohol in the urine 80 hours after you drink. Breath tests for alcohol can detect alcohol within a shorter time frame. This is about 24 hours on average.

Your eyes may also get puffy the day after drinking because alcohol causes tiny blood vessels to become a bit leaky. Eye puffiness and swelling usually goes away in 12 to 24 hours after your body processes the alcohol. Drinking water can help reduce puffiness.

Whether you decide to cut down on drinking or completely stop, avoiding alcohol is inevitably going to be great for your skin. Your body is an amazing regenerator and the negative effects of alcohol can be reversed if you act in good time.

The following tips can help you reduce or eliminate bags under eyes:

1. Use a cool compress. Wet a clean washcloth with cool water.
2. Cut down on fluids before bedtime and reduce salt in your diet.
3. Don’t smoke.
4. Get enough sleep.
5. Sleep with your head slightly raised.
6. Reduce allergy symptoms.
7. Use cosmetics.

As the liver becomes more severely damaged, more obvious and serious symptoms can develop, such as: yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) swelling in the legs, ankles and feet caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema)

Signs of edema include:

• Swelling or puffiness of the tissue directly under your skin, especially in your legs or arms.
• Stretched or shiny skin.
• Skin that retains a dimple (pits), after being pressed for several seconds.
• Increased abdominal size.

Edema left untreated can cause skin stretching to a point of pruritus and discomfort accompanied by painful swelling, stiffness, and difficulty walking. Swollen areas are at increased risk of skin ulcers and infection.

Mild edema usually goes away on its own, particularly if you help things along by raising the affected limb higher than your heart. More-severe edema may be treated with drugs that help your body expel excess fluid in the form of urine (diuretics).

Edema can be: a mild and temporary water retention problem that goes away by itself, a symptom of a serious disease that needs treatment, a condition that could become chronic and severe (like lymphedema after cancer treatment or leg edema in one leg following deep vein thrombosis), or.

Treatments & Interventions for Edema

1. Reduce daily sodium intake.
2. Avoid tight clothing and jewelry that could constrict the affected area.
3. Avoid extreme temperatures.
4. Keep the affected limb above your heart when possible.
5. Lymphatic massage to the affected area can help move excess fluid.

Eat natural diuretic vegetables, including asparagus, parsley, beets, grapes, green beans, leafy greens, pineapple, pumpkin, onion, leeks, and garlic. Some of these foods may interact with diuretic medications. Eat antioxidant foods, such as blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers.