Pupils: which age-related change occurs?

Pupils: which age-related change occurs?

• A. Pupils decrease in size and become more responsive to light
• B. Pupils increase in size and become less responsive to light
• C. Pupils remain the same size and light response
• D. Pupils become more responsive to low light

Answer: (B)

As people age, the muscles of the iris lose some tone and elasticity, so the pupil tends to become smaller and the reflexes controlling it slow down. This means the pupil diameter decreases (miosis) and the pupillary light reflex is slower and less robust. Practically, older adults don’t adjust as quickly to changes in lighting, which can make glare worse in bright conditions and reduce visibility in dim light. So the typical age-related change is a smaller pupil that responds more slowly to light, not an enlarging pupil or a more reactive light response.

As people age, the muscles of the iris lose some tone and elasticity, so the pupil tends to become smaller and the reflexes controlling it slow down. This means the pupil diameter decreases (miosis) and the pupillary light reflex is slower and less robust. Practically, older adults don’t adjust as quickly to changes in lighting, which can make glare worse in bright conditions and reduce visibility in dim light. So the typical age-related change is a smaller pupil that responds more slowly to light, not an enlarging pupil or a more reactive light response.