uneven pupil sizes

[Bell2]

Hi
My where my ds cord stump has come off has now started to heal up but I have another worry now

He is now 2 weeks old and I've noticed for a while that he has uneven pupil sizes when you bring him into a darkened room. In bright lighting his pupils look the same size, but the right eye's pupil becomes noticeably larger than the left eye as soon as he is in a darker area. Does anyone know what causes this?. Should I be really worried?

Thanks Jo

I don't really have any knowledge or advice, but have you asked your HV? You could probably ring her up and just ask quickly.

My DH actually has this he was investigated and saw a neurologist but they decided it was due to weak muscles inside his eye that meant his pupil reactions were sluggish. TBH i would definately get bab checked out though even if they tell you the same thing

i wouldn't be worried, the fact that both are the same in bright light is good. It would do no harm to have it checked out thought just to be on the safe side

i agree with layla. Get your baba checked out straight away

My DD (6) has this as well. I mentioned it to the HV and GP who seemed very unworried about it, so a friend who is an optometrist checked her over - her vision is totally normal and no one really seems to know what it is, so I stopped worrying about - she does have low muscle tone so it's very interesting to see Laylasmum's post about weak muscles. I would ring your HV and get it checked out just to be on the safe side.

Hi Bell2

I'd take your ds along to the docs (rather than HV) as soon as you can ? it may well be nothing, but uneven pupil sizes can indicate something more serious. My dh has a condition called Horner's syndrome which was only diagnosed by the difference in his pupil sizes. Your ds is probably ok, but best to be on the safe side.

Bell2, he doesn't have a droopy eyelid as well?

Hi
he doesn't have a droppy eyelid but one eye is smaller than the other.

Frieda what does Horner's syndrome mean for your son? I hope he is well.

Jo x

David Bowie has uneven pupils and different coloured irises! I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.

Hi Bell

It's dh who has Horners. In his case, it was because he'd somehow damaged a major artery and this had affected his sympathetic nervous system. The only visible symptoms he had were the different-sized pupils and a slightly droopy eyelid on one side. It was a bit worrying at the time, as Horners can indicate other things (he had a MRI scan which showed everything else was fine). Now he just has to take aspirin to keep his blood thin.
I hope this doesn't worry you unduly ? I think diff sized pupils can happen for a number of non-serious reasons.
Thanks for asking, though, and let us know what your doc says.

Bell2, if the eyelid isn't droopy its unlikely to be Horners. I am an optometrist and usually what you're describing is absolutely fine but I would have it checked just to be absolutely sure

Thanks Chipmonkey - I'll get it checked out soon however just had a bit of a relapse with my postpartum bleeding this lunchtime and have been told to rest to help reduce the bleeding. Unfortinately it'll have to wait until I'm a bit fitter
Jo x

having looked on the web some of the images of Horners syndrome do resemble those of my son which has worried me - only I feel it may be difficult to persuade the doctors to do anything - how would we get referred to a specialist?
Jo

Your GP should refer you if he/she thinks it necessary ? talk to him about your concerns. As chipmonkey says, since the eyelid isn't droopy, it sounds as though it's unlikely to be Horners. Hope I haven't worried you unduly.
Let us know how you get on.

we're off to the GP at 5 this afternoon - will let you know how things go.
Jo

Bell2, how did you get on with your GP?

Unfortunatley baby was asleep at the appointment - not unusual in a newborn! Anyway the doctor held his eyes open and said he couldn't see any evidence of glaucoma or retina damage etc. He dismissed Horners as something only seen on adults with lung cancer......... but I did point put it could be due to nerve damage or neuroblastoma etc. Doctor said he would have another look at his 6 week check which is in 4 weeks time.
Thanks for asking
Jo x

Glad to hear your docs visit was reassuring, Bell. (Although slightly at doc's lung cancer comment ? my dh was MRI scanned and does not have lung cancer, thank god!)

They're never awake when you want them to be and if you're swamped with housework they won't sleep! Checked out some of my notes and I think that in the normal population about 1 in 5 people have uneven pupil sizes, some more noticeable than others. If you were still worried and you live near an optometrist, they could do a "swinging lantern " test, which is quite quick and easy to do, though maybe not so easy on a newborn! If anything worrying showed up, they would write a note to your GP recommending that you see an ophthalmologist.

Thanks for that Chipmonkey - I'll have to have a look and see if there's an optometrist locally.
Jo

Sorry Chipmonkey but by optometrist do you mean I should take him to an opticians?
Jo x

thanks KVG - I thought he might have a bit of a lazy eye but that aspect has improved now he's nearly 4 weeks old.

I have noticed though that the pupil that doesn't get as dilated is also very slightly misshapen with a flat edge at the top.

I have contacted my local opticians but they have yet to ring me back with any info. So we're none the wiser at the moment.
Jo x

Bell2 - I know that your post is from a few years ago, however I hope you can help me.

My 9-month-old daughter's eyes are doing exactly as you described. I first noticed it when she was three months old. I took her to our GP, who referred her to a pediatric opthamologist. We're finally getting to take her to that appointment this week.

My questions are: what did you find out regarding your child's eyes? Also, what should I expect at an appointment like this? If you prefer, please send me a private message. I'd greatly appreciate any advice you can offer, as I'm rather nervous about my baby's appointment.

Hi My DD has exactly same symptoms - diagnosed as congenital Horners, so your gp is wrong. your DS needs an ophthalmology review , maybe take a photo to show gp. anywaymy DD is fine, vision fine, no more follow up, just nerve damage to pupil of the smaller pupil eye, only visible dark light