Anisocoria is unequal pupil size. The pupil is the black part in the center of the eye. It gets larger in dim light and smaller in bright light.
Alternative NamesEnlargement of one pupil; Pupils of different size; Eyes/pupils different size
ConsiderationsIt is normal for a person's two pupils to be up to 1 mm (.05 inch) different in size.
Babies born with different sized pupils may not have any underlying disorder. If other family members also similar pupils, then the pupil size difference is possibly genetic and nothing to worry about.
Also, for unknown reasons, pupils may temporarily differ in size. If there are no other symptoms and if the pupils return to normal, then it is nothing to worry about.
Unequal pupil sizes of more than 1 mm, that develop later in life and do NOT return to equal size, may be a sign of a brain, blood vessel, or nerve disease.
Common CausesThe use of eyedrops are a common cause of a harmless change in pupil size. Other medicines that get in the eyes, including medicine from Asthma inhalers, can change pupil size.
Other causes of unequal pupil sizes may include:
Treatment depends on the cause of the unequal pupil size. You should see a doctor if you have sudden changes in pupil size.
Call your health care provider ifYou should see a doctor if you have persistent, unexplained, or sudden changes in pupil size. The new development of different sized pupils may be a sign of a very serious condition.
If you have differing pupil size after an eye or head injury, get medical help immediately.
Always seek immediate medical attention if differing pupil size occurs along with:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting differing pupil size in detail may include:
The physical examination will include a neurological examination.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
Depending on the diagnosis, medication may include drugs to control migraine, corticosteroids (to diminish swelling of the brain tissue), anticonvulsant drugs (to control seizures), pain relievers, antibiotics (for bacterial meningitis), or anticancer drugs.
ReferencesBaloh RW. Neuro-ophthalmology. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 450.
Griggs RC, Jozefowicz RF, Aminoff MJ. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 418.
Anisocoria is unequal pupil size. The pupil is the black part in the center of the eye. It gets larger in dim light and smaller in bright light.
Alternative NamesEnlargement of one pupil; Pupils of different size; Eyes/pupils different size
ConsiderationsSlight differences in pupil sizes are found in up to 1 in 5 healthy people. Usually, the diameter difference is less than 0.5 mm, but it can be up to 1 mm (0.05 inch).
Babies born with different sized pupils may not have any underlying disorder. If other family members also have similar pupils, then the pupil size difference is possibly genetic and nothing to worry about.
Also, for unknown reasons, pupils may temporarily differ in size. If there are no other symptoms and if the pupils return to normal, then it is nothing to worry about.
Unequal pupil sizes of more than 1 mm that develop later in life and do NOT return to equal size may be a sign of an eye, brain, blood vessel, or nerve disease.
Common CausesThe use of eyedrops is a common cause of a harmless change in pupil size. Other medicines that get in the eyes, including medicine from asthma inhalers, can change pupil size.
Other causes of unequal pupil sizes may include:
Treatment depends on the cause of the unequal pupil size. You should see a doctor if you have sudden changes in pupil size.
Call your health care provider ifYou should see a doctor if you have persistent, unexplained, or sudden changes in pupil size. The new development of different sized pupils may be a sign of a very serious condition.
If you have differing pupil size after an eye or head injury, get medical help immediately.
Always seek immediate medical attention if differing pupil size occurs along with:
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, including:
Tests that may be done include:
Treatment depends on the cause of the problem.
ReferencesBaloh RW. Neuro-ophthalmology. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 450.
Griggs RC, Jozefowicz RF, Aminoff MJ. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 418.
Rucker JC. Pupillary and eyelid abnormalities. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Bradley: Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 2008:chap 17.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 04/30/2011
Kevin Sheth, MD, Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine;David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
No. Anisocoria is a difference in pupil size and has nothing to do with astigmatism, which is a variation of the cornea or lens of the eye.
unequal pupil size
He has Anisocoria
Anisocoria is a condition where the pupils of one's eyes are of two different sizes. If you were born with anisocoria and are having no other problems with your eyes, it is probably a genetic condition and nothing to worry about.
Anisocoria
Adie's pupil is a neurological condition of unknown origin with an unusual, asymmetric presentation known as anisocoria, an inequality in the size of the pupils of the eyes.
Anisocoria means unequal pupil size. It can be a normal variant, or a sign of disease.
Well, one of MY pupils does not appear bigger than the other. I am normal. But, for the 20% or so of the population who have congenital anisocoria, they were just born that way. No reason. For the folks who do not have congenital anisocoria and suddenly develop a difference in pupil size, there are a number of reasons. It could be damage to the 3rd cranial nerve due to stroke or head injury, damage to the sympathetic chain called Horner's Syndrome which could indicate a tumor on the fundus of the lung, syphillis, or a stress response common in ~20 yr old females that temporarily causes the dilaton and loss of accommodation in one eye. Laurie Davie, OD, FAAO
Dilated pupils are large. Constricted pupils are small.
Your cat should definitely be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as this could be a sign of a tumor or other serious medical problem! Your cat should definitely be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible, as this can be a sign of a tumor or other serious medical problem! Remember to get a second or third opinion if the first veterinarian cannot diagnose the problem.
This condition is called "Anisocoria". Anisocoria is usually the result of a defect in efferent nervous pathways controlling the pupil traveling in the oculomotor nerve (parasympathetic fibers) or the sympathetic pathways. It may be associated with Adie syndrome, Horner's syndrome ... etc.
A difference in pupil size is a relatively common anatomical variation. If you have any concerns, please see your primary care or eye care provider.