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If you notice that you or a loved one has different sized pupils, it’s important to understand the potential causes and to know when to be checked by an eyecare professional.
The pupils in our eyes are the black circular part at the front of the eye which allows light into the back of the eye. The size of the pupil changes depending if you are in a brightly lit environment versus a dark one. In a dark setting, the pupils widen in order to take in as much light as possible. In contrast, in bright light, the pupils constrict.
Anisocoria is a medical term used when the pupils are different sizes. One in five people don’t have pupils that are exactly the same size, but the difference is small and insignificant, often a 1mm difference between both eyes. This is considered to be physiological anisocoria which causes no harm. However, there are conditions which cause the pupils to differ in size and it can be a sign of a serious medical disease.
Some medical causes of anisocoria include:
If you notice a sudden change in the size of one of your pupils, especially if it occurs after an injury or along with other symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care right away. It is not necessarily a harmful phenomenon but it does need to be checked as soon as possible because some of the possible causes are serious and require immediate medical care. Please schedule an appointment at our office and we will do our best to accommodate an appointment right away. If that is not possible we will guide you to the best urgent care facility.
It can be hard to notice a change in the size of your pupils, especially if your pupils blend in with a dark colored iris, as opposed to someone who has light blue eyes. Sometimes anisocoria occurs with other symptoms which are more noticeable, such as:
If you notice any of these symptoms along with different sized pupils or experience sudden changes in your vision, please schedule an eye exam with our eye doctor in Bellflower.
Most of the time anisocoria does not require treatment as it does not affect the health of your eyes or your vision. If it does happen to affect your vision, your eye doctor may be able to prescribe appropriate glasses that can help with the issue. If the difference in pupil size is due to a medical condition, this underlying cause will be treated appropriately. If you have any questions or concerns regarding anisocoria, make sure to consult with your eye doctor who can guide you, diagnose the condition and recommend the proper treatment.
Many cases of anisocoria cannot be prevented as it could be physiological or due to medical conditions that can’t be avoided. However, anisocoria could be related to eye injuries and it’s important to do what we can to avoid such circumstances. If you are engaged in any activities that pose a threat to your eyes, it is crucial to ensure that you are wearing the proper protective gear in order to prevent trauma to the eyes.
Physiological anisocoria is a common phenomenon, found in approximately 20% of the population. It is not harmful and it’s a very minor difference in the size of both pupils. There are other types of anisocoria which present with a more significant inequality of sizes between the pupils. This could be harmless or it could be caused by an underlying medical condition. If you suddenly notice that one pupil is bigger or smaller than the other, especially after trauma to the eye or if it comes with other symptoms, please book an immediate appointment at our office by calling (562) 925-6591. Regardless of the type of anisocoria, it is important to get it checked by the eye doctor for a proper diagnosis and discussion of treatment, if relevant. Patients searching for advanced medical eye care visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of medical eye care services for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles.
I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.
Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.
My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!
The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.
I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.
This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.
Very professional staff and pleasant.
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