Thursday, December 15, 2016

HEALTH TIP

Eye Pupils, Unequal

(Anisocoria)

 

Unequal Pupils (Anisocoria)The pupil is the black center part of the eye. Pupils get larger (dilate) in dim light and smaller (constrict) in bright light. Usually both pupils are about the same size and respond to light equally. Unequal pupil size is called anisocoria.

If pupil sizes are very unequal, a person may notice the discrepancy. More often, unequal pupils are noticed only during a doctor's examination. Unequal pupils themselves usually cause no symptoms, but occasionally a person may have trouble focusing on near objects. Also, the underlying disorder sometimes causes other symptoms such as eye pain and redness, loss of vision, drooping eyelid, double vision, or headache. These more noticeable symptoms are often the reason people seek medical care rather than the unequal pupils.
Unequal Pupils (Anisocoria)
Photo courtesy of Professor H.J. Meyer via the Online Journal of Ophthalmology (www.onjoph.com).

Causes

The most common cause of unequal pupils is
  • Physiologic anisocoria
Physiologic anisocoria is pupils that are naturally different in size. No disorder is present. About 20% of people have this lifelong condition, which is considered a normal variation. In such people, both pupils react normally to light and darkness and there are no symptoms.
Less commonly, people have unequal pupils because of
  • Eye disorders
  • Nervous system disorders

Warning signs

In people with unequal pupils, certain symptoms and characteristics are cause for concern. They include
  • Drooping eyelid (ptosis)
  • Double vision
  • Loss of vision
  • Headache or neck pain
  • Eye pain
  • Recent head or eye injury

When to see a doctor

People with warning signs should see a doctor right away. People without warning signs but who have any other symptoms should call the doctor. The doctor can decide how quickly they need to be seen based on their symptoms. People who simply happen to have noticed unequal pupils and feel well can usually wait a week or two to see a doctor.

 

 

No comments:

Twenty One Member Cabinet Of The New Govt. Assumed. duties Today(19)

The 22 member Cabinet of the new government which was appointed yesterday (18) had assumed  duties in the respective Ministries today (19) i...