To report the clinical features of Adie's tonic pupil.

The medical records of 22 patients who had been diagnosed with Adie's tonic pupil from February 1998 to February 2009, were retrospectively reviewed. On March 2010, a cross-sectional examination was performed in 16 patients (19 eyes) who underwent a follow-up of more than 1 year. Measurements included pupil size in room light, bright light and in darkness; near point of accommodation; presence of segmental iris palsy; light-near dissociation; denervation supersensitivity; corneal sensitivity; and deep tendon reflex (DTR).

Among the patients studied, 16 were women in Adie's tonic pupils. Only 3 of patients had bilateral involvement. The mean age of onset was 38.3 years. The mean size of Adie's tonic pupils was 2.3 mm larger than the fellow eyes. Segmental iris palsy was detected in 93.8% of the patients. Denervation supersensitivity was observed in all patients. Light-near dissociation was present in 88.2% and over 90% of the patients had decreased DTR in the biceps, triceps, knee and ankle jerk.

This cross-sectional study showed Adie's tonic pupil tended to become miotic and recover accommodation power over the years.