Pupils different sizes

[erinprime]

My little girl is just about 2 months old. I noticed a couple of weeks ago that sometimes the pupil in her left eye is larger than the one in her right eye. I called the doctor's office immediately, but they just said that it can sometimes be normal and as long as it didn't happen as a result of trauma and there are no other symptoms that she does not need to be seen for it. Initially I was fine, but the more time goes on the more it freaks me out. Sometimes the pupils are the same size and sometimes they are different! I have made an appointment with an ophthalmologist but it isn't until March 12th!

Does anyone else have a baby with this? I am really worried about it and google is no help.

 

[scoobydrlp]

Sorry I'm no help, but I hope you get answers soon. I know how scary it is when you feel that something is wrong.

 

[messica]

My sons were like that for the longest time (I remember noticing it until he was at least around the age of 2 or so).

I too was told it's just how his eyes were and it was harmless as long he never sustained any type of head or eye injury (he sure hadn't!). I was very skeptical but he is a very smart, healthy and normal 9 1/2 year old now and they evened out in size long ago so there must have been some truth to that.

I could show you pictures, his were identical to your peanuts

 

[sheldonsmommy]

I'm a registered nurse and I noticed this with my first son. Nobody's pupils are exactly symmetrical, but I think it's more noticeable when their eyes are more open and they're more alert. Still freaked me out though.

 

[bananaz]

Like the doctor said, if there are no other symptoms then it's probably just a benign quirk, especially if it's only noticeable some of the time. Do both pupils respond in the same way when a light is shined in her eye?

 

[Bunanie]

I'm an optometrist and you will be surprised how many people are born with different size pupils.

When you say it's not noticeable all the time, is the difference in size greater in bright light (like the photo) and less in the dark?

But if the difference in size is exactly the same in light and dark, then it's physiological, nothing is wrong and nothing can be done about it.

Either way it usually doesn't her sight so don't worry too much about it in the meantime.

 

[erinprime]

It is not just more noticeable sometimes, the difference in size actually varies greatly throughout the day. I have tried to look for a pattern and the difference seems to be greatest in low light, but not always. Sometimes the left pupil looks to be twice the size of the right one, and sometimes it looks slightly smaller. So no, the difference in size does not stay the same at all.

 

[Bunanie]

It is not just more noticeable sometimes, the difference in size actually varies greatly throughout the day. I have tried to look for a pattern and the difference seems to be greatest in low light, but not always. Sometimes the left pupil looks to be twice the size of the right one, and sometimes it looks slightly smaller. So no, the difference in size does not stay the same at all.

Hmm sounds odd... Does the right pupil react much to direct light? Does it dilate much in low light?

 

[wannabemomy37]

no knowledge about it here, but will be stalking for updates out of curiosity if that's ok!?

Beautiful baby btw

 

[_Meep_]

Your little one must be over two by now!

My kid has the same sort of thing - I only noticed it a few months ago (she's 19 months now), as her pupils never seemed to dilate very much as a little baby. It is starting to freak me out! Like your baby, mine doesn't appear to have it all the time either.

Did you ever see anyone or get any answers? Did it go away? I hope you will update!

 

[Larkspur]

I have different-sized pupils. I've never had problems with my eyes (except for very mild short-sightedness that developed in my mid-20s) - in fact, it wasn't even picked up until I was in my teens. I've never had an eye injury or illness that would cause it.

Like your LO, it can vary quite a lot, much of the time it's barely noticeable, other times I am bordering on being David Bowie, haha. Lower light seems to emphasize it but sometimes there doesn't seem to be a reason.

Like others say, keep an eye on it (haha) but it's not uncommon and nothing to be necessarily alarmed by.

 

[jodilee6]

I also have uneven pupils!

I do have glasses but that's to correct astigmatism I have in one eye, I've never had problems with having different size pupils here either

 

[_Meep_]

Good to know ladies, thanks. Apparently 20% of the population or something has it. I think I'll have to see somebody though, just to be sure ...

 

[MrsTB]

It is not just more noticeable sometimes, the difference in size actually varies greatly throughout the day. I have tried to look for a pattern and the difference seems to be greatest in low light, but not always. Sometimes the left pupil looks to be twice the size of the right one, and sometimes it looks slightly smaller. So no, the difference in size does not stay the same at all.

If the difference is greatest in low light then makes me think the right pupil may not be able to dilate in the dark as well as the left pupil..the ophthalmologist will know if that is what's going on or not or it could just be a physiological difference...like someone said non trauma related pupil asymmetry rarely affects levels of vision so don't worry about it too much.

 

[Srrme]

I noticed this on my daughter when she was 4 weeks old. It FREAKED me out at first, until I realized my husband has it too, and so does my youngest sister. It's not as noticeable now that she's older. I was told it's fine.