Isolated Benign Unilateral Episodic Mydriasis in Relation to Anxiety: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Benign episodic mydriasis is a form of anisocoria that is characterised by isolated, episodic, and sporadic mydriasis, in the absence of accompanying neurological or systemic signs or symptoms. The diagnosis is established after other causes of anisocoria have been excluded. The purpose of this case report is to describe a case of benign episodic mydriasis of her right pupil in a 23-year-old female patient. The episodes lasted for 5–10 minutes and occurred spontaneously, without any concomitant symptoms or precipitating factors. The frequency of the episodes was variable, but she reported that it worsened in periods when she felt more mentally stressed or anxious. Contact with any kind of medications, homoeopathic drugs, industrial agents, or any other kind of chemical compounds was excluded, and the remaining neurological and systemic examination was unremarkable. Blood tests were taken and imaging was performed, which ruled out a structural lesion. A diagnosis of isolated benign episodic mydriasis was established. Unlike the typical presentation of the condition, the episodes did not occur in association with any form of migraine or headache. Given the benign nature of the condition, no treatment was instituted. After excluding potentially severe causes, and reassuring the patient, the frequency of the episodes decreased.

KEYWORDS:

• Neuro-ophthalmology
• pupil
• anisocoria
• benign episodic mydriasis (BEM)
• unilateral mydriasis

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Funding

The authors reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.