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Anisocoria - Treatment

Alternative Names

Enlargement of one pupil; Pupils of different size; Eyes/pupils different size

Home Care:

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 if:

You 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:

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history, including:

  • Is this new for you or have your pupils ever been different sizes before?
  • When did it start?
  • What other symptoms do you have?
    • Is there a headache?
    • Is there nausea?
    • Is there vomiting?
    • Is there blurred vision?
    • Is there double vision?
    • Is there a fever?
    • Is there a stiff neck?
    • Are the eyes light-sensitive (photophobia)?
    • Is there eye pain?
    • Is there loss of vision?

Tests that may be done include:

Treatment depends on the cause of the problem.

  • Reviewed last on: 4/30/2011
  • 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.

References

Baloh 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.

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