The spelling of "Adie pupil" is not immediately intuitive, but is pronounced (AH-dee PYOO-puhl). The word is named after neurologist William John Adie, who discovered the neurological condition in which one pupil is larger than the other and reacts slowly to light. The pronunciation of "Adie" follows the long "A" sound (AH-dee) and the stressed syllable is on the second syllable. The second word, "pupil," is pronounced with the long "Y" sound (PYOO-puhl). Combined, the pronunciation of "Adie pupil" is (AH-dee PYOO-puhl).
Adie Pupil refers to a medical condition characterized by abnormal pupil response to light stimuli. It is named after the Scottish ophthalmologist William John Adie, who first documented this condition in 1931. Adie Pupil is also commonly known as Adie's Tonic Pupil or Holmes-Adie Syndrome.
The main feature of Adie Pupil is the dilation of one or both pupils, resulting in an unequal reaction to light. Typically, affected individuals exhibit a sluggish, prolonged, and near-absent constriction of the pupil when exposed to bright light. However, the pupil response to accommodation, the process of adjusting the lens to focus on nearby objects, remains relatively normal. Adie Pupil predominantly affects young females, typically between the ages of 20 and 40.
The precise cause of Adie Pupil is yet to be elucidated, although it is believed to stem from damage or degeneration of nerve fibers in the ciliary ganglion, a cluster of neurons behind the eye. Adie Pupil is often associated with certain neurological conditions such as peripheral neuropathy and can be accompanied by other symptoms like reduced or absent tendon reflexes and impaired sweating.
Diagnosis of Adie Pupil involves a thorough examination of the patient's medical history, coupled with a comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation, including pupil size measurements, light reaction tests, and the administration of dilute pilocarpine, a drug that causes the affected pupil to constrict more intensely. Treatment options for Adie Pupil generally focuses on managing the associated symptoms, as the condition itself is considered benign and does not typically require intervention.
"Adie pupil" is a term used to describe a pupil who has a condition called Adie syndrome or Adie's tonic pupil. The term "Adie" itself is named after William John Adie, a British neurologist who first described the condition in 1931.
The word "pupil" in this context refers to the round opening in the center of the iris through which light enters the eye. It comes from the Latin word "pupilla", meaning "little doll", perhaps because it resembles a small object seen by reflection in someone's eyes.
Therefore, the etymology of "Adie pupil" combines the name of the physician who first identified the syndrome (William John Adie) with the term "pupil", referring to the affected part of the eye.