Unequal pupil size is known as aniscoria. About 20 percent of people have this eye defect. Pupils control the entry of light into the eye. It narrows in the bright light and widens in the dimmer light to allow more light in. This article gives information about causes, home care and diagnosis of Aniscoria.
Causes of Aniscoria
Pupil size may be changed because of using eyedrops. Medicines from asthma inhalers and other medicines which enter into the eyes can cause change in pupil size.
Other causes may include:
- Abscess or brain tumor.
- Aneurysm.
- Bleeding inside the skull.
- Membrane infection aruond the brain that is caused by encephalitis and meningitis.
- Lymph node pressure or tumor in the chest that may be associated with a small pupil, drooping eyelid or decreased sweating.
- Excess pressure in the eye which is caused by glaucoma.
Home Care
Depending on the cause of unequal pupil size, the treatment is carried out. If you notice sudden change in your pupil size, consult your doctor. The sudden change in pupil size may be a sign of a serious condition.
You should seek your health care professional’s help if you have unexplained, persistent or sudden changes in size of the pupils.
Always seek medical attention if change in pupil size occurs along with:
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Fever
- Eye sensitivity towards light
- Loss of vision
- Severe eye pain
- Vomiting or nausea
- Stiff neck
Diagnostic Tests
- Blood studies like blood differential and CBC
- Cerebrospinal fluid studies
- Head CT scan
- EEG
- Tonometry
- Skull x-ray
- Neck x-ray
- Head MRI scan
Prevention
- Stop using all drugs that affect the vision and mind, especially cocaine.
- Use cortisone shots in the area where your doctor recommends.
- Take antibiotics prescribed by the doctor.
- Buy pain relievers and take them when you notice signs of Aniscoria.
- Ask the doctor if anticonvulsant or anticancer medications work.
