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What Is Afferent Pupillary Defect?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

An afferent pupillary defect is an eye condition where one eye is less sensitive to light, and will not contract as sharply in response to light as the unaffected eye. This can be a sign of optic nerve damage, tumor, glaucoma, and a number of other eye issues. A doctor can identify this defect with the swinging light test, where she moves a light rapidly back and forth between the eyes to monitor the pupillary response.

The neurological circuit that controls dilation and contraction of the pupil works simultaneously in both eyes. For instance, when a doctor shines a bright light into the left eye, the right eye will contract as well. In a patient with afferent pupillary defect, shining the light into the healthy eye will result in a tight contraction of both pupils. If the doctor moves the light rapidly to the injured eye, the pupils will appear to dilate, because the optic nerve receives less light and thinks it needs to open up the pupils for visibility.

An afferent pupillary defect may be a sign of damage to the optic nerve.
An afferent pupillary defect may be a sign of damage to the optic nerve.

Anisocoria, where the pupils dilate and contract at different rates, is not seen in patients with afferent pupillary defect. The pupils still respond simultaneously to stimuli, but one of the eyes is receiving confusing signals and it does not contract as much as it should in response to light. This can be seen in patients with severe vision impairments caused by a variety of ophthalmologist conditions.

Normally, a person's pupils contract when light is bright.
Normally, a person's pupils contract when light is bright.

Doctors must be careful in an eye exam, as the rate at which they move the light can have an impact on the outcome of the test. If the light moves too slowly, the doctor may get a false reading. In a case of suspected afferent pupillary defect, the doctor will repeat the test to confirm. This clinical sign, also known as Marcus Gunn pupil, requires further investigation to find out more about the cause. Treatments can include medication for glaucoma or surgery to remove a tumor impinging on the optic nerve.

Many patients are not aware they have an afferent pupillary defect until it is discovered during an eye exam.
Many patients are not aware they have an afferent pupillary defect until it is discovered during an eye exam.

Patients with this condition may not be aware of it prior to the examination. In bright light, the healthy eye will readily contract, pulling the pupil in the damaged eye to a small size along with it. Likewise, in dark conditions, the eyes will dilate equally. Flashing a bright light rapidly back and forth between the eyes is the only way to see the differential response, illustrating that one eye is having difficulty with the interpretation of visual information while the other is not.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • An afferent pupillary defect may be a sign of damage to the optic nerve.
      By: kocakayaali
      An afferent pupillary defect may be a sign of damage to the optic nerve.
    • Normally, a person's pupils contract when light is bright.
      By: mtths
      Normally, a person's pupils contract when light is bright.
    • Many patients are not aware they have an afferent pupillary defect until it is discovered during an eye exam.
      By: Monkey Business
      Many patients are not aware they have an afferent pupillary defect until it is discovered during an eye exam.
    • An afferent pupillary defect may be a sign of glaucoma or other eye conditions.
      By: joshya
      An afferent pupillary defect may be a sign of glaucoma or other eye conditions.
    • It's important to have regularly scheduled eye exams that can help identify vision problems at an early stage.
      By: fred goldstein
      It's important to have regularly scheduled eye exams that can help identify vision problems at an early stage.
    • In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the underlying cause of an afferent pupillary defect.
      By: Peter Orsaeo Sr
      In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the underlying cause of an afferent pupillary defect.
    • The eyes of a healthy person normally dilate only when in dim light.
      By: ASK_H
      The eyes of a healthy person normally dilate only when in dim light.
    • Doctors must be careful during an eye exam, as the rate at which they move the light may impact the outcome of tests used to diagnose afferent pupillary defect.
      By: Hunor Kristo
      Doctors must be careful during an eye exam, as the rate at which they move the light may impact the outcome of tests used to diagnose afferent pupillary defect.