Paralytic mydriasis is a medical condition where the pupil of the eye is dilated and cannot respond to light due to paralysis of the iris muscles. The spelling of this term follows the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and can be transcribed as /pəˌrælɪtɪk ˌmɪˈdraɪəsɪs/. The term is derived from the Greek words 'paralytikos' meaning paralysis, and 'mydriasis' meaning dilation of the pupil. Paralytic mydriasis is often caused by nerve damage, brain injury, or certain medications and requires medical attention.
Paralytic mydriasis refers to a medical condition characterized by the abnormal dilation of the pupil, resulting from paralysis or dysfunction of the muscles that control pupil constriction. The term "paralytic" suggests that the condition is caused by an impairment or lack of muscle function, while "mydriasis" specifically refers to the excessive dilation of the pupil.
There are various potential causes of paralytic mydriasis, including traumatic injury to the eye or head, certain neurological conditions, medication side effects, or underlying diseases affecting the nerve pathways that control the pupil. The dysfunction could occur in the muscles within the iris, which regulate pupil size, or in the nerves that transmit signals to these muscles.
Symptoms of paralytic mydriasis typically include a significantly widened pupil that does not respond to changes in light intensity. Depending on the underlying cause, other symptoms such as blurry vision, eye pain, double vision, or drooping eyelid may be present. The condition can occur in one or both eyes.
The treatment of paralytic mydriasis depends on addressing the underlying cause. For instance, if the condition is caused by medication, adjusting the dosage or switching to an alternative drug might be necessary. In cases where there is a neurological issue, appropriate neurological treatment may be recommended. In some instances, the effects of paralytic mydriasis may be temporary and resolve once the underlying cause is treated, while in other cases, the dilation may be permanent.
Dilatation due to paralysis of the circular fibers of the ciliary muscle, cycloplegia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "paralytic mydriasis" is a medical term that combines two distinct terms: "paralytic" and "mydriasis". Here is the etymology of each term:
1. Paralytic:
The word "paralytic" originated from the Latin word "paralyticus", which comes from the Greek term "paralutikos". "Paralutikos" is derived from the Greek word "paralyein", meaning "to disable or loosen at the side". This term is a combination of "para", indicating "beside, beyond", and "lyein", meaning "to release or loosen".