Horner’s syndrome is a rare group of facial and eye abnormalities that often result in unequal dilation of the pupils, unilateral ptosis, or distorted vision. Horner’s syndrome is often caused by abnormalities in the nerves in the eyes and face, which can be a complication of certain medical conditions. In some cases, it is present from birth. Treatment usually focuses on treating the underlying disease causing the nerves.
Symptoms of Horner’s syndrome
Nerve abnormalities from Horner’s syndrome may result in the following symptoms:
- The pupils of both eyes are constantly dilated unequally.
- Decreased vision in the dark because the abnormal pupil often dilates slowly or does not dilate in the dark.
- Drooping eyelid onone side all the time
- One side of the face or one area does not sweat or sweats little.
- Color blindnessor partial color vision occurs in infants during the first 2 years of life.
- Redness or bruising in children often appears only on one side of the face.
In addition to changes in the eye and face, this syndrome may also cause other symptoms such as double vision, vertigo, muscle weakness, loss of balance, pain or numbness in the arm, neck pain or pain in one ear, hoarseness, hearing loss, difficulty defecating, hyperreflexia, etc.
Causes of Horner’s syndrome
The main cause of this syndrome is usually damage or abnormalities of the nerves in the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for controlling the functioning of organs or nerves in the upper brain, face, ears, neck, chest, lungs, and spine in response to external stimuli. The causes of the sympathetic system may include:
- Cervical artery injury
- Spinal cord, neck, or chest injuries from surgery or accidents
- Abnormal blood circulation
- Complications from stroke, multiple sclerosis, lung cancer, migraine headaches, cluster headaches
- Tumorsin the upper brain, spinal cord, outer nerve sheath, upper lung, neck, between lung and neck, or intracranial tumors.
- A cavity or cyst in the spinal cord
- Infections of the skull and middle ear
- Congenital heartdefects
- Injuries to the baby’s shoulders or neck during birth
- Childhood neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that affects nerve cells.
However, doctors have not found a definitive cause of the abnormalities that cause Horner syndrome in some children.
Diagnosis of Horner’s Syndrome
First, the doctor may ask about the medical history, perform a physical examination, and examine the symptoms. The doctor may then refer the patient to an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist may examine the eye movements and dilation of the pupils, as well as perform other tests to find the cause, such as blood tests, urine tests, magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scans, spinal taps, and injection of contrast media to show the blood vessels in the brain.
Treatment of Horner’s Syndrome
There is no specific treatment for Horner syndrome. Doctors focus on identifying the cause of the disorder and treating the underlying medical condition. People with mild symptoms may not need treatment, but in some cases, doctors may recommend facial plastic surgery or eye drops to treat the condition.
Complications of Horner’s Syndrome
Horner syndrome can lead to potentially dangerous neurological complications. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience dizziness, vision changes, sudden, severe neck pain or headache, muscle weakness, or inability to move a body part. It can also lead to other neurological disorders, such as Wallenberg’s syndrome and Adie syndrome, which cause similar symptoms to Horner syndrome.
Prevention of Horner’s Syndrome
Since Horner syndrome is a neurological disorder that is often caused by other diseases, including some with unknown causes, it may not be preventable. Patients who are at risk should observe for abnormalities in the eyes and face. If any abnormalities occur, they should see a doctor. In addition, injuries or accidents may be another cause of this syndrome. Therefore, they should live their lives carefully and mindfully to reduce the risk of accidents.
