Horner’s Syndrome
Description: Horner’s syndrome is an
uncommon pathologic condition that can
consist of the following disorders:
 constricted pupil (miosis),
 droopy eyelid (ptosis)
 reduced facial sweating (anhydrosis)
usually occurring on one side of the face
(Cassin p. 130)
 Heterochromia (difference in eye color)
(Health Encyclopedia).
It is also know as Bernard-Horner Syndrome
and Oculosympathetic Palsy (WebMD).
Parts Affected & Effects on Visual System:
Horner’s is caused by damage to the
sympathetic nerves in the head but it may also
be hereditary (Ahmetoglu 2002).
. There are three types of Horner’s Syndrome.
1. First Neuron Horner's Syndrome
(central lesions) can be caused by
brief interruption of the blood supply
to the brain), or by brain tumors.
2. Second Neuron Horner's Syndrome
(preganglionic lesions) may be
caused by lung cancer thoracic
tumors, phrenic nerve syndrome,
thyroid enlargement, and severe
osteoarthritis of the neck with bone
spurs, spinal cord injury or disease,
neck trauma caused by injury,
surgery, or severe whiplash.
3. Third Neuron Horner's Syndrome
Group I (postganglionic lesions) may
be caused by skull fracture, cluster
headaches, migraines, or middle ear
infections. Third Neuron Horner's
Syndrome Group II involves the
facial sweating mechanism. (Health
Encyclopedia).
Diagram
source:
(Goldberg,
p. 70)
FIG 1. Photograph of a 13-year-old female patient with congenital
Horner’s syndrome. Prominent ptosis, miosis, and iris
Hypopigmentation of the left eye can be seen (www.ajnr.org).
Treatments: Treatment is dependent upon the
reason and/or cause of the syndrome. When the
cause is associated with tumors “surgical removal
is appropriate” (Health Encyclopedia).
Stability of Condition: In some cases the syndrome
is congenital and in other cases it is adventitious.
Whether the condition becomes more severe over
time is dependent upon its root cause.
Functional Implications: Due to the constriction of
the pupil a person dealing with Horner’s syndrome
will probably have difficulty seeing in low light
situations. This will be further exacerbated by the
droopy eyelid blocking the visual field as well.
References:
1. Health Encyclopedia: Diseases and Conditions. Retrieved June 29,
2009 from website: http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/488/main.html
2. Goldberg, Stephen M.D. (1993) Ophthalmology Made Ridiculously
Simple. (10th Printing) Miami, Florida: MedMaster, Inc.
3. Cassin, Barbara & Solomon, Sheila A.B. (1997). Dictionary of Eye
Terminology. (Third Edition) Gainesville, Florida: Triad Publishing
Company.
4. Lueck. Amanda H. (2004). Functional Vision: A Practitioner’s Guide to
Evaluation and Intervention. New York: American Foundation for the
Blind Press.
5. WebMD. Retrieved June 29, 2009 from web site:
http://www.webmd.com/brain/horners-syndrome
6. American Journal of Neuroradiology. Retrieved June 30, 2009 from
web site: http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/content-nw/full/23/6/929/F1
7. Ahmetoglu, Ali & Alioglu, Zekeriya & Dinc, Hasan & Erdo’I, Hidayet.
(2002) Agenesis of the Internal Carotid Artery Associated with Aortic
Arch Anomaly in a Patient with Congenital Horner’s Syndrome: Case
Report AJNR AM J Neuroradiol 23:929-931 June/July 2002. Retrieved
June 29, 2009 from web site: http://www.ajnr.org