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Anisocoria

Anisocoria is unequal pupil sizes. Anisocoria itself does not cause symptoms.

Etiology

The most common cause of anisocoria is

• Physiologic (present in about 20% of people)

See Table 2: Symptoms of Ophthalmologic Disorders: Some Common Causes of Anisocoria for other causes of anisocoria.

Table 2
Some Common Causes of Anisocoria Cause Suggestive Findings Adie's tonic pupil (idiopathic impaired constriction) Pupils that respond more to accommodation than to light; delayed dilation after constriction Congenital iris defects Associated ocular abnormalities, chromosomal disorder, nonocular congenital defects, chronicity Drugs (eg, scopolamineSome Trade Names TRANSDERM SCOP Click for Drug Monograph patch; animal flea collars or sprays, organophosphates, or aerosolized ipratropiumSome Trade Names ATROVENT Click for Drug Monograph if they contact the eye; cycloplegic, mydriatic, clonidineSome Trade Names CATAPRES Click for Drug Monograph , apraclonidineSome Trade Names IOPIDINE Click for Drug Monograph , or brimonidineSome Trade Names ALPHAGAN Click for Drug Monograph eye drops) History of use or exposure Horner's syndrome (eg, congenital, traumatic, postsurgical, due to migraine or lung tumors) Ptosis, anhidrosis, delayed dilation after constriction, features of causative disorder Iris or other ocular dysfunction after surgery History Physiologic anisocoria Chronicity, absence of symptoms or associated findings, difference of < 1 mm (usually < 0.4 mm) between pupil sizes, normal pupillary light responses Syphilis (Argyll Robertson pupil) Pupils that respond more to accommodation than to light; possibly findings suggesting syphilis Third cranial nerve palsy (eg, due to aneurysm or tumor) Impaired extraocular movements, ptosis Traumatic mydriasis History or findings of trauma

Many disorders are accompanied by anisocoria due to iris or neurologic dysfunction but usually manifest with other, more bothersome symptoms (eg, uveitis, optic neuritis, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, acute angle-closure glaucoma).

Evaluation

The goal of evaluation is to elucidate the physiologic mechanism of anisocoria. By identifying certain mechanisms (eg, Horner's syndrome, 3rd cranial nerve palsy), clinicians can diagnose the occasional serious occult disorder (eg, tumor, aneurysm) manifesting with anisocoria.

History: History of present illness includes the presence, nature, and duration of symptoms. Any history of head or ocular trauma is noted.

Review of systems seeks symptoms that may suggest a cause, such as birth defects or chromosomal abnormalities (congenital defects); droopy eyelid, cough, chest pain, or dyspnea (Horner's syndrome); genital lesions, adenopathy, rashes, or fever (syphilis); and headaches or other neurologic symptoms (Horner's syndrome or 3rd cranial nerve palsy).

Past medical history includes known ocular disorders and surgeries and exposure to drugs.

Physical examination: Pupillary size and light responses should be examined in lighted and dark rooms. Accommodation and extraocular movements should be tested. Ocular structures are inspected by using a slit lamp or other magnification to identify structural abnormalities and ptosis. Other ocular symptoms are evaluated by eye examination as clinically indicated. An old photograph of the patient or the patient's driver's license should be examined (under magnification if possible) to see whether anisocoria was present previously.

Testing: Testing is usually unnecessary but is indicated for clinically suspected disorders. Patients with Horner's syndrome or 3rd cranial nerve palsy usually require brain MRI or CT.

Red flags: The following findings are of particular concern:

• Ptosis
• Anhidrosis
• Pupils that respond more to accommodation than light
• Impaired extraocular movements

Interpretation of findings: If the difference in size is greater in the dark, the smaller pupil is abnormal. Common causes include Horner's syndrome and physiologic anisocoria. An ophthalmologist can differentiate them because the small pupil in Horner's syndrome does not dilate after instillation of an ocular dilating drop (eg, 10% cocaine).

If the difference in pupillary sizes is greater in light, the larger pupil is abnormal. If extraocular movements are impaired, particularly with ptosis, 3rd cranial nerve palsy is likely. If extraocular movements are intact, an ophthalmologist can further differentiate among causes by instilling a drop of a pupillary constrictor (eg, 0.1% pilocarpineSome Trade Names
ISOPTO CARPINE
PILOPINE HS
SALAGEN
Click for Drug Monograph
). If the large pupil constricts, the cause is probably Adie's tonic pupil; if the large pupil does not constrict, the cause is probably drugs or structural (eg, traumatic, surgical) damage to the iris.

Treatment

Treatment of anisocoria is unnecessary.

Key Points

• Physiologic anisocoria is very common and causes < 1 mm of difference between the pupils in size.
• Examining the pupils in light and dark and inspecting an old photograph or the driver's license of the patient provide a great deal of diagnostic information.
• Serious disorders should be considered in patients with Horner's syndrome or 3rd cranial nerve palsy.

Last full review/revision April 2009 by Kathryn Colby, MD, PhD

Content last modified April 2009