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Medical question : 11 y/o has different size pupils

MaisOuiMadame

MaisOuiMadame

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Jan 9, 2015
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My 11 y/o DD has had one of her well visits and the pediatrician who's been doing the eye exams (we've moved quite a bit and it's always been the pediatrician who did the eye exams) has discovered that her pupils are different sizes.

It's not really visible, but she saw it with her handheld device.

Went to see a pedio- ophtalmologist ASAP. She couldn't see anything and gave us a referral to have an MRI scan done.

They want to see us next week again to do more eye testing at the ophtalmologist's. The doctor didn't seem to have many ideas of what else to do, especially as my DD doesn't have any problems with her eyesight.
She did ask me to find out for how long this problem might have existed already by looking at pictures.
We have plenty, but even in portraits the pupils in her hazel coloured eyes aren't discernable.

Since there have never been any indications of problems, the pediatricians have always deemed the basic tests at their office sufficient and we never went to see an ophthalmologist.

Has anyone ever dealt with this? Any ideas what questions to ask/ what tests to do besides the scan (have to wait until march 26th) and the dilated fundus examination (got an appt on Thursday) ?
 
My son has this too, identified by an optician when he was about 12. There is a medical name for it, can’t for the life of me remember what! We were told it’s of no consequence so haven’t thought about it since. He’s 16 now, no sight or other issues at all.
 
One of my pupils is larger than the other and always has been as far as I know. It sounds like the concern with your daughter is that there’s been a change. I hope that it’s nothing serious and that the tests put your mind at ease.
 
Occasionally one of my pupils is larger than the other for extended periods of time. Other than near-sightedness, I have no vision problems. My neurologist and I attributed it to my chronic migraines.
 
I truly hope it's nothing serious @kipari !
 
No advice here. Just wanted to say I hope it's nothing but a little quirk and you can put your mind to ease ASAP!
 
Most certainly it is just a whim of nature. It‘s good that you have it checked properly but try not to worry too much. :-)
 
Thank you @Snowdrop13 , this is reassuring!

Thank you @Patty ! Yes, the concern is that we don't know if has always been the case. A change would be very alarming Indeed.

Thank you @DAF ! I hope your migraines are manageable these days!!


Thank you @Polabowla

Thank you @AnastasiaBeaverhausen

Yes @Roselina , I'm trying very hard not to let myself get sucked into a dark hole of worry!
 
Hope this turns out well for your DD.

I've been seeing a fantastic ophthalmologist every 3 months for decades for a condition.
Now I'm on six Rx eyedrops.
The most expensive one is $750 a month.
She is not in my insurance company's list so I gladly pay out of pocket.
I only get two eyeballs, and as I age I'd like them to work as long as possible.
IMO that's more likely when the doctor is better.

I just had to say how important eyesight is and especially the quality of your doctor!!!!!
 
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@kipari I am sorry about this and hopefully it isn't anything serious. You saw an eye specialist and they ran all the necessary tests? Has she had an MRI? Recent onset unequal pupil sizes need to be evaluated to rule out some serious issues.

Up tp 20% of the population has physiological anisocoria which just means slight differences between the two pupils. It isn't uncommon. But if it is recent onset that is cause for a full workup just to make sure all is OK.


The more insidious causes of recent onset anisocoria could be due to:

Head trauma (causing a torn or blocked vessel in the head or neck)
Brain aneurysm
3d nerve palsy
Reaction to certain eye drops or medication patches like scopolamine which is used for motion sickness. Has she gotten into any of your or your DH's medication perhaps?

Does she have any eyelid droopiness?


ETA: OK just read she hasn't yet had an MRI. That needs to be done as soon as possible. Most likely she is fine and I am sorry you are going through this but of course you need to rule out the worst case scenario for peace of mind. Sending you big hugs and healing wishes.
 
Yes @Roselina , I'm trying very hard not to let myself get sucked into a dark hole of worry!
[/QUOTE]

It‘s difficult. I know the feeling. Try not to google things, as the worst comes up - always. Try instead to focus on an excellent ophthalmologist and have things checked as fast as possible. It will most certainly be all right!
 
kipari one of my kids sometimes has different sized pupils. It's also very slight, so much so that I didn't notice it. A doctor noticed it and off we went down the chute of worry. Fortunately nothing serious was found to be the cause. It seems to come and go, and she has been a-ok.

Here's hoping that the same holds true for your child!
 
Hugs to you & your daughter. Fingers crossed it's all very straight forward & just one of those things that won't ever affect her vision etc.
 
Thank you Kenny!

Yes, @missy the MRI is booked in a month (the soonest we could get in).

No trauma, no medication and of course I feel awful that I never noticed it before.

Thank you @Roselina , I'm trying my best!

Thank you @rainydaze , what a relief your child is OK!!

Thank you @Alex T !!!
 
@kipari don't feel awful you didn't notice it...small differences are impossible to notice especially because why would you be looking for that? Please don't beat yourself up. She will be A OK and you are an amazing mother. (((HUGS))).

By the way I messaged (IG) you this morning when I read your post.
 
I have anisocoria. Mine started after a series of really bad migraines. I had an MRI and lumbar puncture and extensive bloodwork and everything came back normal. I was actually hospitalized for a few nights because they suspected something sinister.
That was 9 years ago and I'm fine, just asymmetric
 
missy said:
@kipari don't feel awful you didn't notice it...small differences are impossible to notice especially because why would you be looking for that? Please don't beat yourself up. She will be A OK and you are an amazing mother. (((HUGS))).

By the way I messaged (IG) you this morning when I read your post.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much, dearest @missy
Off to check Instagram!!
 
Mekp said:
I have anisocoria. Mine started after a series of really bad migraines. I had an MRI and lumbar puncture and extensive bloodwork and everything came back normal. I was actually hospitalized for a few nights because they suspected something sinister.
That was 9 years ago and I'm fine, just asymmetric
Click to expand...

Thank you @Mekp I'm glad you're fine!
 
HI:

Hoping your babe is AOK. Thinking of you and yours!!

kind regards--Sharon
 
Update: I Just got back from the neuro-ophtalmologist's and she said she doesn't see any red flags.
We've had the CT scan done on Friday, but just got the cd with the images, not the radiologist's report. That will come in on Wednesday or Thursday and the ophtalmologist didn't have all the fancy screens they use in the hospital but she didn't see any red flags !!! I'm quite relieved.
Thank you all for your support!
 
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Great news @kipari, must be a huge relief for you all.
 
kipari said:
Update: I Just got back from the neuro-ophtalmologist's and she said she doesn't see any red flags.
We've had the CT scan done on Friday, but just got the cd with the images, not the radiologist's report. That will come in on Wednesday or Thursday and the ophtalmologist didn't have all the fancy screens they use in the hospital but she didn't see any red flags !!! I'm quite relieved.
Thank you all for your support!
Click to expand...

That's great news. Hope you guys get the all clear from the radiologist ASAP so you can put this all behind you.
 
Huge relief for sure!
 
Great news...what a relief!
 
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