Argyll Robertson pupil

Argyll Robertson pupil
SpecialtyNeurology 
Risk factorsA highly specific sign of neurosyphilis
Diagnostic methodPupillary light reflex and accommodation reflex tests

Argyll Robertson pupils (AR pupils) are bilateral small pupils that reduce in size on a near object (i.e., they accommodate), but do not constrict when exposed to bright light (i.e., they do not react). They are a highly specific sign of neurosyphilis; however, Argyll Robertson pupils may also be a sign of diabetic neuropathy. In general, pupils that accommodate but do not react are said to show light-near dissociation (i.e., it is the absence of a miotic reaction to light, both direct and consensual, with the preservation of a miotic reaction to near stimulus (accommodation/convergence)).[1]

AR pupils are extremely uncommon in the developed world. There is continued interest in the underlying pathophysiology, but the scarcity of cases makes ongoing research difficult.

  1. ^ Digre, Kathleen A. (1986). "Light-Near Dissociation". content.lib.utah.edu. Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah. Retrieved 20 October 2016.