UNEQUAL PUPIL SIZE AFTER HEAD INJURY PROFESSIONAL

It gets larger in dim light and smaller in bright light. For physiologic anisocoria, no treatment is needed. The pupil is the black part in the center of the eye.

Treatment depends on identifying and addressing the underlying problem. Neuroimaging with MRI (occasionally CT) depending on the person’s history and what is found on neuro-ophthalmic and neurologic examinations. Taking a careful history of symptoms, noting when they started and what other problems may be present.Ĭhecking the ability of each pupil to constrict in the presence of bright light and to dilate in the darkness. They may include any of the following: Vomiting Lethargy Headache Confusion Paralysis Coma Loss of consciousness Dilated pupils Vision changes (blurred. Eye protection with safety glasses, goggles, face shields and avoidance of dangerous situations can help prevent work. battery acid, lye drain cleaner, etc.) can cause vision threatening eye injuries. Nausea or vomiting Dilated pupil(s), unequal pupils Blurred vision. Physical/chemical: Major eye injuries are caused by blunt and sharp trauma, with or without globe penetration/ rupture. If the problem is new, the doctor will then focus on which pupil is responding differently. Brain injury including dual diagnosis of brain injury and spinal cord injury. When a doctor sees a patient for uneven pupil size, the first concern is to determine whether the unevenness is new or long-standing. Reaction to certain topical dilating medications (such as a pet’s eye drops, or anti-nausea or motion sickness patches such as scopolamine) that may accidentally get into one eye. This may be due to a brain aneurysm, and should be urgently evaluated in the emergency room. On the other hand, a person whose pupils are uneven when they were normal before may be experiencing a serious problem such as:Ī torn or blocked blood vessel in the neck (usually the result of head or neck trauma), which could cause a mildly droopy eyelid on the side of the smaller pupil.Ī third nerve palsy can result in the inability to move the affected eye normally, in addition to eyelid drooping (which is often significant) on the side of the larger pupil. In these cases, there are no other symptoms and both of the person’s pupils react to changes in light. This is called “physiologic anisocoria” and is normal. Slight differences between the two pupils may be present in up to 20 percent of people. This is to rule out eye conditions such as acute angle closure glaucoma or inflammation of the front part of the eye (uveitis or iritis). More often than not, it is pointed out to the person by someone close to them.Īn ophthalmologist should be seen to rule out ocular causes of eye pain and pupil asymmetry, especially when vision loss or changes, redness or discharge from the eye(s) is present.

UNEQUAL PUPIL SIZE AFTER HEAD INJURY PROFESSIONAL

Other medicines that get in the eyes, including medicine from asthma inhalers, can change pupil size.Uneven pupil size may be noticed by the person or by a health professional during an examination. The use of eye drops is a common cause of a harmless change in pupil size. If you experienced a head injury before your pupils changed in size, contact 911 or go to the hospital immediately.

confusion seizures unequal pupil size restlessness or irritability. Anyone experiencing symptoms after a head injury must see a. If your neck hurts after a head injury, it is best to try not to move more than is. Causes of TNP include a brain hemorrhage, trauma, or aneurysm. Other medicines that get in the eyes, including medicine from asthma inhalers, can change pupil size. Unequal pupil sizes of more than 1 mm that develop later in life and do not return to equal size may be a sign of an eye, brain, blood vessel, or nerve disease. Third nerve palsy (TNP) can cause the pupils to be different sizes. The use of eye drops is a common cause of a harmless change in pupil size. If it is more than 2 mm then it could be due to pathologic anisocoria. If there are no other symptoms and if the pupils return to normal, then it is nothing to worry about. If other family members also have similar pupils, then the pupil size difference could be genetic and is nothing to worry about.Īlso, for unknown reasons, pupils may temporarily differ in size. Most often, the diameter difference is less than 0.5 mm, but it can be up to 1 mm.īabies born with different sized pupils may not have any underlying disorder. Slight differences in pupil sizes are found in up to 1 in 5 healthy people. It gets larger in dim light and smaller in bright light. Mechanical anisocoria: This type of anisocoria is the result of physical damage to the eye, such as an injury or a condition that causes inflammation to the eye. The pupil is the black part in the center of the eye. Anisocoria Enlargement of one pupil Pupils of different size Eyes/pupils different sizeĪnisocoria is unequal pupil size.

Unequal pupil size after head injury