Arjun G. Shah
Arjun G. Shah

@neurogenicpoet

8 Tweets 3 reads Feb 02, 2023
RAPD or Marcus Gunn Pupil
Alternatively shine a light back and forth on each pupil and observe.
1 second interval in a diy lit room. Ask pt to fixate on a distant object
Avoid spillover of light (as seen here)
Look carefully, zoom in to each!
Different ?
#MedTwitter #MedEd
Simplified.
Normally when light is shined in the Left eye (afferent)β€” retina β€” Left Optic Nerve β€” Pretectal Nucleus β€” Edinger Westphal Nuc of BOTH SIDES β€” efferent Oculomotor Nerve β€” CONSTRICTION OF LEFT pupil (direct) and RIGHT (Consensual)
In our little friend, Right Optic Nerve is damaged
Light in Left- Normal constriction in both eyes
Light is shined in right, since the β€œAFFERENT” Optic nerve is damaged, there is no pupillary response
Hence after shining the light in the left, when we go to the right, the right pupil which is constricted (consensually) , lacks the ability to constrict to direct light, hence appears to dilate (β€œRelative”)
Now when the light is again shined in the left, it’s business as usual
#NeuroTwitter #Opthalmology
See the video again, initially left pupil constricts. When I move the light to the right, carefully look for the initial dilation. Zooming in may help
This needs to be differentiated from Hippus that is a rapid fluctuating pupil size. Usually a normal phenomenon. Watch the initial movement closely, it will dilate or constrict (50-50) but RAPD has initial dilation
If there is bilateral vision loss, obviously, an RAPD will not be elicited
Causes of RAPD
-Optic Neuritis (because of MS NMO Idiopathic)
-Optic Nerve Damage (Trauma Radiation Tumour)
-severe Glaucoma
-retinal detachment, infections (CMV)
- ischaemic optic neuropathy

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