If your key symptoms are dimness of vision and a runny nose, what type of agent might you have been exposed to?

The symptoms of dimness of vision and a runny nose are indicative of exposure to a nerve agent. Nerve agents function by disrupting the normal functioning of the nervous system, leading to a range of symptoms including blurred vision or dimness, difficulty breathing, and excessive secretions such as saliva and nasal discharge. The characteristic effects on the eyes, particularly from agents like sarin or VX, include miosis (constriction of the pupils), which can manifest as dim vision.

The presence of a runny nose aligns with overstimulation of secretory glands, which is another effect of nerve agents as they inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to an accumulation and increased stimulation of muscarinic receptors. The symptoms can often include various respiratory and ocular manifestations, distinguishing nerve agents from other types of chemical agents.

Choking agents typically cause immediate respiratory distress and do not primarily result in ocular symptoms like dimness of vision. Blister agents primarily affect the skin and mucous membranes, leading to blistering rather than the neurological symptoms described here. Riot control agents usually produce lacrimation and respiratory irritation, but the combination of symptoms mentioned is more aligned with the effects of nerve agents.