What does it mean when one pupil gets bigger than the other?

Normally the size of the pupil is the same in each eye, with both eyes dilating or constricting together. The term anisocoria refers to pupils that are different sizes at the same time. The presence of anisocoria can be normal (physiologic), or it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

What is physiological anisocoria?

Anisocoria that is NOT associated with an underlying medical condition is called physiologic anisocoria. Physiologic anisocoria can occur in 20% of the population. The difference between the sizes of the two pupils is rarely more than 1-2 mm but may vary from time to time.

What are the symptoms of anisocoria?

Anisocoria Symptoms

• drooping eyelid (ptosis)
• problems moving your eye.
• eye pain.
• fever.
• headache.
• reduced sweating.

Can tiredness cause unequal pupils?

Moreover, your pupils’ overall size will shrink, perhaps reflecting fatigue in the task of maintaining the larger size. The muscles themselves may tire and the ability to keep the pupil open may fade. Therefore, both pupil size and stability can objectively identify sleepiness and sleep deprivation.

What are the symptoms of Anisocoria?

Can Anisocoria cause blindness?

Anisocoria cannot make you go blind. Though many causes of anisocoria are benign and some people only notice some blurry vision and/or light sensitivity, it can be a sign of a serious and potentially life-threatening neurological problem.

What is the most common cause of anisocoria?

An injury or lesion in either pathway may result in changes in pupil size. Physiologic (also known as simple or essential) anisocoria is the most common cause of unequal pupil sizes, affecting up to 20% of the population.

What is the treatment of anisocoria?

Your doctor’s recommended treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of your anisocoria. For example, if an infection is the cause, your doctor might prescribe antibiotic or antiviral eye drops. If you have an abnormal growth, such as a brain tumor, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove it.

How do you test for anisocoria?

In practical terms, when faced with anisocoria, ophthalmologists need to confirm the finding by measuring pupil size in each eye in ambient room light. Then the pupils need to be measured in different light conditions (dark and bright light). It is also important to note any other obvious features such as ptosis.

Will anisocoria go away?

Simple anisocoria This is a benign condition that causes the pupils to differ in size, usually by up to one millimeter in diameter, without affecting the pupils’ response to light. This condition can be intermittent or constant, and may even go away on its own without medical intervention.

What could make one pupil bigger than the other?

The most common causes of one pupil being larger than the other include: Dilated pupil. Concussion and unequal pupils. Anxiety and dilated pupils. Headaches. Damage to your iris sphincter. ( more items )

Why are my pupils so naturally large?

Pupils, or the black parts at the center of the eyes, change size to regulate the amount of light entering the eye. Pupils are large in the dark to let more light in and small in bright light. Usually, the pupils in each eye dilate or constrict at the same time.

What causes an enlarged pupil?

Enlarged pupils will be the result of dilation, while pinpoint pupils are the result of constriction. The change occurs when the iris, which is commanded by two muscle groups, either lessens or increases the pupil’s size.

Why do pupils get big?

Big pupils are often caused by epilepsy or other types of seizure disorders. When muscle spasms, staring and unconsciousness occurs, the pupils grow very wide and are not responsive to stimuli such as light.