A miotic pupil refers to a pupil that is unusually small or constricted. This condition is also known as pupillary miosis.
Understanding Miosis
The pupil is the black circle in the center of your eye that regulates the amount of light entering. When miosis occurs, the muscles of the iris (the colored part of your eye) tighten, causing the pupil to become smaller than its usual size. This constriction is a medical sign that can indicate various underlying conditions or be a normal response to certain stimuli.
Key characteristics of a miotic pupil:
- Size: Significantly smaller than typical pupil size (which can vary depending on light conditions).
- Appearance: The black circle in the middle of the eye appears constricted.
- Mechanism: Involves the tightening of the sphincter pupillae muscles within the iris.
Why Do Pupils Constrict?
While sometimes a normal response to bright light, miosis can also be a symptom of medical conditions or a side effect of certain medications. For more general information on eye health, you can visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
