Adie's pupil is a neurological condition characterized by a lack of sensitivity to light in the eye. The eye normally responds very quickly to changes in light levels, adapting very quickly to avoid obscured vision. In a patient with Adie's pupil, one or more eyes may have a delayed response, and it is not uncommon for one pupil to dilate more than the other. In fact, the hallmark of Adie's pupil is a constantly dilated pupil that responds poorly, if at all, to changes in light levels.
This condition appears to be the result of an infection or inflammation that damages the muscles and nerves responsible for dilating the pupil. In a patient with Adie's pupil, the muscles that normally dilate and contract are not as sensitive as they should be. The condition can be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist or neurologist, who can also recommend appropriate treatment.
Specialized prescription glasses may be used to compensate for vision problems associated with Adie's pupil. Medications may also be used to control the condition and symptoms, and to keep the patient more comfortable. If these measures do not work, surgery may be done to sever part of the sympathetic nerve trunk. This procedure is only recommended when other measures fail, as it is potentially risky and should be performed by a highly experienced surgeon who is extremely familiar with the anatomy of the nerves in the area.
This condition is also known as Homes-Adie syndrome or Adie's tonic pupil syndrome. If identified in a patient, a doctor can try to determine the cause. Learning about the cause can be important, as the patient may be at risk of developing other problems, and these problems may be prevented with treatment or detected earlier by someone caring for them. The patient and doctor may also simply be interested in learning about the origins of the condition.
Adie's pupil is permanent and can get progressively worse over time. For this reason, patients should be careful to alert new physicians to their condition during initial sessions, so that it can be taken into account during the course of routine medical treatment. It is also important to receive regular eye exams to check for further progression of the condition and to determine if changes to the patient's treatment plan are needed.