This is caused when there is pressure on one of the nerves that control your eye’s movements. Third cranial nerve palsy can cause one’s pupils to dilate unevenly. This particular type of damage is called Horner’s syndrome, and it can be accompanied with drooping eyelids or double vision. Anisocoria Caused by Neurological DisordersĪnisocoria that is caused by neurological disorders can be further broken down into sub-categories.ĭamaged nerves in the brain or spinal cord can cause significant anisocoria. One does not develop these issues later in life.

Anisocoria Caused by Iris DefectsĪnisocoria can be caused by abnormalities of the iris, which are caused by chromosomal disorders. Other symptoms of meningitis include fever, nausea, headache, and sensitivity to light. Anisocoria Caused by MeningitisĪnisocoria can occur in this instance when the brain and spinal cord membranes become inflamed. This condition is usually painful as well. When the iris of the eye becomes inflamed, this inflammation may make one pupil smaller than the other. Cocaine and the drugs in animal flea collars or sprays can also cause anisocoria. The following eye drops can cause anisocoria as well: cycloplegic and mydriatic drops, clonidine, and apraclonidine. Some of the medications that cause anisocoria have to come in contact with the eye, while others do not.Ī few of the medications and drugs that have this effect include scopolamine, an anticholinergic agent and pilocarpine, the drug that treats glaucoma (in some cases). The medicated eye usually looks smaller than the non-medicated eye. Some eye drops that are prescribed to treat glaucoma may cause one pupil to become smaller than the other pupil. Anisocoria Caused by Medications and Drugs

Seek medical attention immediately for your baby if you notice a big difference in your baby’s pupil size. If your baby displays anisocoria, he or she could be a victim of shaken baby syndrome. Anisocoria Caused by Shaken Baby Syndrome Don’t try to sleep off the symptoms of a concussion. Always seek medical care if you think you have a concussion. Anisocoria Caused by ConcussionĪ concussion, or brain injury, can cause anisocoria. Read more on eye safety later in this article. Using safety glasses may prevent this type of eye trauma. Bowie was hit in the eye, and this trauma caused one pupil to be permanently dilated.Ī foreign object in your eye can also cause anisocoria. The late David Bowie’s anisocoria was caused by a fight he had as a teenager. Significant anisocoria can be caused by eye trauma. If you notice a significant difference in your pupils’ sizes, seek medical attention immediately. Some of the causes of anisocoria can be life-threatening. Try not to diagnose yourself based on what you read online. There are many possible causes of anisocoria. When a person has significant anisocoria, the difference between his or her pupil measures more than one millimeter. Although a wide variety of reasons can cause anisocoria, some causes of anisocoria are more serious than others. If you notice a distinct difference in the sizes of your pupils, you have significant anisocoria. Top Related Article – Can Your Eyes Change Color? Significant Anisocoria It is probably not necessary to go to the emergency room in such a situation unless you have other symptoms. If you notice that your pupils are a slightly different size, it is a good idea to go to the doctor. In fact, you may not even notice if you have simple anisocoria since the difference between pupil sizes is extremely minimal. There is no treatment needed for this type of anisocoria. Simple anisocoria does not affect your vision or eye health. The existence of simple anisocoria does not seem to be influenced by gender, age, eye color, or time of day. Oddly enough, simple anisocoria can come and go throughout the day. Some research has shown that approximately 20 percent of the population experiences simple anisocoria. In simple anisocoria, the difference between pupils is usually measured at one millimeter. It can be referred to as simple anisocoria or benign anisocoria. These mild cases go by several different names.

There are many people with mild cases of anisocoria. Here are a few reasons, highighted below: Simple Anisocoria When should you be concerned? When should you visit the doctor? How do you treat anisocoria? Read on to find out the answers to these questions. This article will discuss other aspects of anisocoria besides having pupils of different sizes. Anisocoria is more common than you might think. Have you ever heard of anisocoria? Anisocoria shows itself when a person has one pupil that is bigger than the other.

Cause of unequal pupil size