

Other accompanying signs and symptoms may include: The obvious sign of polycoria is the presence of two pupils in one eye. This can cause less light to enter the iris, which can cause dim vision and other problems with focusing. In polycoria, the additional pupils are usually smaller than normal and are separated individually in a different segment of the iris. These additional pupils are only holes that are caused by a defect in the iris and do not affect vision. However, they do not possess their own sphincter muscles. This creates the appearance of having more than one pupil in the eye. This condition can affect vision though it is extremely rare.įalse, or pseudopolycoria. Each pupil has its own normally functioning sphincter muscle which allows it to constrict and dilate. This involves two or more separate pupils sharing one eye. It commonly starts during childhood but is often diagnosed later in life. In many cases, migraine treatment can address auras.Polycoria affects the pupils and can occur in both or just one eye. A doctor can evaluate a person’s symptoms and help determine a cause. Examples include vision changes, hallucinations, numbness, changes in speech and muscle weakness. In the aura phase, a person can experience visual, sensory or motor symptoms that can precede the headache. Transient vision problems can be related to auras, a symptom of migraine and other headaches. The doctor is likely to evaluate a person with these problems carefully, particularly if the symptoms are new, because they can indicate a serious problem such as multiple sclerosis, head trauma, aneurysm or tumor. Such problems can result in symptoms such as double vision, nystagmus, oscillopsia and disorders of the pupils, such as anisocoria. Nerve problems can affect the nerves of the muscles surrounding the eyeball and those that control the dilation and contraction of the pupil. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause of a chiasm disorder. They may not notice approaching vehicles or people, and this may result in a loss of the ability to drive. The symptoms can be disabling, affecting the person’s ability to read and visually scan and navigate the world around them. Problems with blood vessels in the brain, including bleeding, are the most common cause of problems in the optic chiasm, but tumors and trauma can also result in chiasm disorders. The optic chiasm is the crossing of the optic nerves of the right and left eyes where half of the nerve fibers from each eye cross to the other side, enabling a person to use both eyes to focus, perceive depth and maintain a normal field of vision. These medications may have side effects, so it is important to communicate with the doctor to understand risks and benefits. Treatment for giant cell arteritis includes a temporary course of steroid medications, including glucocorticoids, which can arrest the vision loss if started promptly. If these tests show signs of the disease, the doctor may proceed with imaging studies, such as x-ray, ultrasound, MRI or PET scan, as well as a biopsy of one or both arteries in the temple area. When the doctor suspects giant cell arteritis, he or she will likely perform an exam and blood tests. People with giant cell arteritis may be at risk for developing aneurysms. Other symptoms include a dry cough, fever, headache, jaw pain and problems with blood circulation in the arms. The condition can affect a person’s vision in one eye. Giant cell arteritis (also called temporal arteritis) is an inflammation of medium-sized and large arteries that extend from the neck up into the head. If this is the case, there are medicines that can help slow the progression or even prevent MS from occurring. For patients who have optic neuritis, the doctor may suggest an MRI to assess the person’s risk for getting MS. Studies show that about half of people who develop optic neuritis will get MS in the following 15 years. There is a relationship between this condition and multiple sclerosis (MS). Symptoms begin to improve within weeks or months, and most cases of optic neuritis resolve on their own completely within a year. The doctor may recommend corticosteroids or other medications to address an overactive immune system if that is what is causing the nerve inflammation. Like other optic neuropathies, the main symptoms of optic neuritis are pain and vision disturbances. One type of optic neuropathy is optic neuritis, which can result from infections (such as chickenpox or influenza) or immune system disorders such as lupus. A person may notice vision loss in only the center of their field of vision (scotoma) or pain when they move the affected eye. Types of Neuro-Visual Disorders Optic Nerve Disordersĭamage to the optic nerves can cause pain and vision problems, most commonly in just one eye.
