Is therapy for anisocoria possible?
The therapy of anisocoria varies greatly depending on the underlying cause. A physiological anisocoria (in a healthy state) does not need to be treated. If there is an acute cause such as bleeding or stroke, immediate therapy is necessary.
If a stroke is caused by a blood clot, this should be dissolved by medication as soon as possible. Calcium deposits can be removed by an interventional procedure. In the event of bleeding, blood clotting should be brought to a normal level (usually occurs in people treated with blood thinners).
In most acute diseases that cause anisocoria, the pressure in the skull is increased. Therefore, a rapid reduction of the intracranial pressure, for example with mannitol, is necessary. If the cerebral pressure is very high, relief can be achieved by opening the skull.
Even slow processes such as a brain tumour can cause increased intracranial pressure and must therefore be treated. The therapy can be carried out by means of an operation or also by radiation or chemotherapy. Which treatment is most suitable depends strongly on the type of brain tumour.
Occasionally, disturbances in pupil function are also caused by poisoning or drugs. With suitable antidotes, therapy can also be carried out in these cases. If necessary, monitoring is sufficient until the body functions return to normal.
Even slow processes such as a brain tumour can cause increased cerebral pressure and must therefore be treated. Therapy can be carried out by means of an operation or also by radiation or chemotherapeutic agents. Which treatment is most suitable depends strongly on the type of brain tumour.
Occasionally, disturbances in pupil function are also caused by poisoning or drugs. With suitable antidotes, therapy can also be carried out in these cases. If necessary, monitoring is sufficient until the body functions return to normal.
Duration of anisocoria
How long an anisocoria lasts usually depends mainly on the therapy of the cerebral pressure. Thus, pupil function usually improves with the normalization of the pressure in the skull. If there is direct damage to the region of the brain responsible for the pupils, recovery of the tissue may take some time. In the case of poisoning or after drug use, it usually takes several hours before the effect wears off, depending on the drug. A physiological anisocoria usually lasts a lifetime, but has no disease value whatsoever.
Anisocoria in the baby
An anisocoria in babies is in most cases congenital and has no disease value, only in rare cases there is a disease or a pupil disorder. If you notice different pupil sizes in your child, you should first check whether other symptoms occur. If this is not the case, a physiological anisocoria can be assumed.
If you are still concerned, you can have the anisocoria clarified by your paediatrician if necessary. Usually an ultrasound of the head is made, if necessary an EEG (recording of the brain waves) can be written. An ophthalmologist can also be consulted if an eye disorder is suspected.
If, on the other hand, the anisocoria occurs suddenly and above all together with other symptoms such as, for example, an ophthalmological examination, this can be an indication of a sudden event in the brain. In these cases, immediate clarification of the symptoms at the paediatrician or in the clinic is advisable. Especially if the symptoms are preceded by a triggering situation such as a fall on the head, you should go to a clinic as soon as possible. – severe agitation or
- Apathy,
- Fever,
- Listlessness,
- Weakness in drinking, etc.
