Adie's pupil & its causes - Dr. Elankumaran P

Pupil in an eye is something like a shutter in a camera. The only work of the pupil is to limit the light entering into the eye. It either shrinks in bright light and dilates in dark light so that the eye continues to receive optimum light. This is regulated by what is called as autonomic nerves, particularly parasympathetic nerves or sympathetic nerves. Parasympathetic nerves are controlled by ciliary ganglion present behind the eye. In Adie’s pupil the pupil is permanently dilated meaning the parasympathetic system is not working properly. So even in the bright light the pupil does not constrict. So the patient has photophobia, that is aversion to light. Patient tends to close his eyes in bright light, or when camera flashes or in bright sunlight. Commonly this is because the ciliary ganglion is infected either by a virus or by a bacteria thereby the control of the shutter system of the eye is lost. Usually this is in one eye. But around 20% of people have it in both the eyes. The common treatment that we do for this is drops. Drops are given in the initial stages so that patient gets used to this condition. Brain can get used to any kind of condition that we provide. Along with this we advice the patient to use dark glasses particularly when he is out in the bright sun light or use of Polaroid glasses.