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One Pupil Big, one Small?

Asked Jun 22, 2008, 12:28 PM — 9 Answers
I went to the opticians today and at the beginning of the process I was told that one of my pupils may be bigger than the other. Although the optician was not sure on the matter but came to the conclusion that it was not.

After various other tests all was ok.

The only problem I currently suffer from is acid reflux/heartburn from time to time, but never consistent, I did get this checked but they never went forward with anything, abit of medicine and that was the end of that, I still have it though.

Anyway I was hoping someone could shed some light on the pupil matter, what is it likely to be if one is bigger than the other with no other noticeable symptoms, however even if one IS bigger it seems to be barely noticeable by myself or an eye doctor.

Thanks.

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9 Answers
wildandblue's Avatar
wildandblue Posts: 663, Reputation: 324
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#2

Jun 22, 2008, 12:40 PM
It sounds like the doctor should have kept his thoughts to himself, since you are now All worried over a condition that might not exist. He might have been saying that one eye is longer see nearsighted versus farsighted, the focal point of the eye is in a different place? Or he might have been talking about the way your eye reacts to light. You could check that yourself by looking in a mirror while you shine a very WEAK flashlight on one eye at a time, look to see if the pupil shrinks in the light? If it doesn't react to light that is a problem, either in the eye muscle itself or the nerves or could be due to some medications.
ChihuahuaMomma (Jun 24, 2008 08:50 PM): I'm sorry, he never mentioned the doctor saying this, and the doctors are the last ones that need to keep pertinent patient information from the patient. And you cannot ASSUME what the "doctor" MIGHT have MEANT.   Source:
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ChihuahuaMomma's Avatar
ChihuahuaMomma Posts: 7,412, Reputation: 3154
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#3

Jun 24, 2008, 08:48 PM


He never said that his eye doctor (Optometrist or Ophthalmologist) told him this, he said an Optician did. Please do not let your Optician diagnose you, that's not there job. Unless you are confusing terms here. I can help you clear it up.

Optician-Sells glasses, fit glasses, and takes measurements (not a doctor)
Optometrist-Optometry Doctor (O.D.)
Ophthalmologist-Medical Eye Doctor (M.D.), also sometimes a surgeon

Now with that said, even if you do have one pupil bigger than the other, it's nothing to worry about most of the time. If you are REALLY concerned, visit an Ophthalmologist to ease this concern.

Now, was this before or after you were dilated? This is where they put in eye drops and let you hang out for a while and then check your eyes again? If so, your eyes could just dilate at different rates, which is totally normal. And nothing to worry about.
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ISneezeFunny's Avatar
ISneezeFunny Posts: 4,186, Reputation: 4188
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#4

Jun 24, 2008, 08:52 PM
Wildandblue, although I see where you're going with this, I would have to disagree as well. Who better than his own doctor to tell him what may be going on with his body?
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J_9's Avatar
J_9 Posts: 37,074, Reputation: 25680
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#5

Jun 25, 2008, 07:28 AM


This could be completely normal, and please forgive me I have forgotten the name as I have been up for 36 hours now, or it could he a sign of increased intercranial pressure.

Only your doctor can diagnose this properly.
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wildandblue's Avatar
wildandblue Posts: 663, Reputation: 324
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#6

Jun 25, 2008, 09:20 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Malakim
I went to the opticians today and at the beginning of the process I was told that one of my pupils may be bigger than the other. Although the optician was not sure on the matter but came to the conclusion that it was not.

After various other tests all was ok.

Anyway I was hoping someone could shed some light on the pupil matter, what is it likely to be if one is bigger than the other with no other noticeable symptoms, however even if one IS bigger it seems to be barely noticeable by myself or an eye doctor.

Thanks.
It seems to be barely noticeable (sic) by myself or an eye doctor is what he said. Then asks what is it likely to be. Have you heard of the power of suggestion? I think any professional who says something like that to a patient before he's done any tests, especially on something barely noticeable is unprofessional. Or just looking for something extra to pad the bill.
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JudyKayTee's Avatar
JudyKayTee Posts: 45,483, Reputation: 23573
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#7

Jun 26, 2008, 01:45 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma
He never said that his eye doctor (Optometrist or Ophthalmologist) told him this, he said an Optician did. Please do not let your Optician diagnose you, that's not there job. Unless you are confusing terms here. I can help you clear it up.

Optician-Sells glasses, fit glasses, and takes measurements (not a doctor)
Optometrist-Optometry Doctor (O.D.)
Ophthalmologist-Medical Eye Doctor (M.D.), also sometimes a surgeon

Now with that said, even if you do have one pupil bigger than the other, it's nothing to worry about most of the time. If you are REALLY concerned, visit an Ophthalmologist to ease this concern.

Now, was this before or after you were dilated? This is where they put in eye drops and let you hang out for a while and then check your eyes again? If so, your eyes could just dilate at different rates, which is totally normal. And nothing to worry about.


What is the education at the various levels - ?
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ChihuahuaMomma's Avatar
ChihuahuaMomma Posts: 7,412, Reputation: 3154
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#8

Jun 26, 2008, 02:18 PM


Optician is either trained by the employer which means they are not licensed. If Licensed then the Optician has either had three years apprenticeship and passed the ABO test, or had two years of school and passed the ABO test.

Optometrist has mostly likely done a bachelors and then Optometry school, so about 6-8 years of schooling. Usually an internship program as well.

Ophthalmologist has done a bachelors, optometry school, and then further education to be specialized in surgery and to become a medical doctor. Also done an internship, sometimes multiple ones.
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Fr_Chuck's Avatar
Fr_Chuck Posts: 72,627, Reputation: 37036
Expert
  
#9

Jun 26, 2008, 03:53 PM
This is actually more common than you realise. We get it from our genes and other ways

Anisocoria
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ChihuahuaMomma's Avatar
ChihuahuaMomma Posts: 7,412, Reputation: 3154
Vision Expert
  
#10

Jun 26, 2008, 04:08 PM
Also, it's helpful to know whether the doctor had already dilated you.
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