The PUPIL is the central opening in the iris. The pupil allows light to enter the eye. Muscles in the iris respond to changing light conditions and cause the pupil to change size. The brighter the light, the smaller the pupil gets. In addition to light, the pupil responds to a focusing mechanism in the eye called accomodation, and to various medications.

Copyright, 1997. Richard E. Gans, M. D.