When your eyes pupils are not the same size, that is known as Anisocoria. Although most people’s pupils are the same size, at least one in five individuals have pupils that are different sizes. Many people that have pupils that differ in size, have no problems with their vision and the condition is harmless.
Sometimes, having different size pupils does affect vision and can be the symptom of a serious eye problem known as anisocoria. People that are susceptible to anisocoria include people that have:
- Adie’s tonic pupil (this is when one pupil does not respond to light as well as the other pupil)
- a history of damage to the eye
- risk of having a stroke
- nervous system problems
- a viral infection
Typically anisocoria does not need to be treated, unless it is related to other eye health problems. However, there are cases where anisocoria may indicate a serious problem and may even be an early sign of an impending neurologic emergency. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you need to see an eye doctor right away:
- Eye pain
- Headache
- Ptosis (drooping eyelids)
- Fever
- Reduced sweating (also known as hypohidrosis – partial loss of sweating)
In order to diagnosis anisocoria, your ophthalmologist may perform use a slit-lamp microscope to examine your eyes. This will allow your he or she to look into the small, detailed sections of your eye. Other tests may be performed if other symptoms are present along with different pupil size.
If you have any questions about anisocoria, or have any issues affecting your vision, make an appointment to see one of our board certified ophthalmologist today!
