Pupillary Athetosis (Hippus)

Hippus - Video, No Audio
Hippus, also known as pupillary athetosis, is spasmodic, rhythmic, but irregular dilating and contracting pupillary movements between the sphincter and dilator muscles.
It is independent of eye movements or changes in illumination and is usually normal (physiologic), however pathological hippus can occur.
Hippus has been classically been noted as sign of Aconite poisoning.

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Education

Tags:

• Pupil
• Pupillary
• Athetosis
• Hippus

[Yixian99]

It's interesting someone mentioned that hippus may be related to low levels of aldosterone - I have hippus and I also have low blood pressure.. hmm.

I also have alternating aniscoria though, in fact my aniscoria corresponds to my nasal cycle!

My pupils are just odd xD

[lamb0176]

Hypoaldosteronism is a serious condition and would require medical attention, aldosterone is not directly related to hippus

[lcozzarelli]

@Yixian99 nasal cycle? Are you using any nasal decongestants? If so, this could be affecting pupil size (slight dilation)

[lamb0176]

@lcozzarelli agreed, phenylephrine can cause pupillary dilation - though nasal cycle and decongestants are unrelated to hippus

[numbereight888]

Thankyou for this vid. I noticed this on myself one day and another video suggested this was due to low aldosterone levels.

Thanks for saying that it is usually normal - I'm no longer concerned.

[lamb0176]

Look for medical resources on the topic instead of Internet hear-say, such as via Google Scholar

[SnowracerX7]

Great to see that it's normal, I saw it in the mirror the other day to check my eyes (I have green eyes, one brown central heterochromia the other sectoral heterochromia) although I get headaches literally everyday for quite long times and my visions been called into questioning for a reason before. I swear I see perfectly though...

[lamb0176]

@sporttygurl hippus is a minor fluctuation of pupil size, not strictly miosis (constriction) or mydriasis (dilation) - so it is unrelated to a particular emotion

[karlaliz27]

Yeah this contractions are normal when the eye is exposed to light in certain angle. In fact, this reaction is used in the alcohol test to evaluate your reflexs

[lamb0176]

Hippus should be independent of changes in illumination (brightness). If this affects your vision or causes pain, it might be time to see a doctor.