Horner SyndromeSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Horner Syndrome Overview
Learn About Horner Syndrome
Horner syndrome is a rare condition that affects the nerves to the eyes and face.
Oculosympathetic paresis; Horner's syndrome
Horner syndrome can be caused by any interruption in a set of nerve fibers that start in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus and travel to the face and eyes. These nerve fibers are involved with sweating, the pupils in your eyes, and the upper and lower eyelid muscles.
Damage of the nerve fibers can result from:
- Injury to the carotid artery, one of the main arteries to the brain
- Injury to nerves at the base of the neck called the brachial plexus or nerve roots
- Migraine or cluster headaches
- Stroke, tumor, or other damage to a part of the brain called the brainstem
- Tumor or infection in the top of the lung, between the lungs, and neck
- Injections or surgery done to interrupt the nerve fibers and relieve pain (sympathectomy)
- Spinal cord injury
In rare cases, Horner syndrome is present at birth. The condition may occur with a lack of color (pigmentation) of the iris (colored part of the eye).
Symptoms of Horner syndrome may include:
- Decreased sweating on the affected side of the face
- Drooping eyelid (ptosis)
- Sinking of the eyeball into the face
- Different sizes of pupils of the eyes (anisocoria) with the affected side pupil being smaller (miosis)
There may also be other symptoms, depending on the location of the affected nerve fiber. These may include:
- Vertigo (sensation that surroundings are spinning) with nausea and vomiting
- Double vision
- Lack of muscle control and coordination
- Arm pain, weakness and numbness
- One-sided neck and ear pain
- Hoarseness
- Hearing loss
- Bladder and bowel difficulty
- Overreaction of the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system to stimulation (hyperreflexia)
The treatment depends on the underlying cause of the condition. There is no treatment for Horner syndrome itself. Ptosis is usually very mild but in rare cases affects vision in people with Horner syndrome. This can be corrected by cosmetic surgery or treated with eyedrops. Your provider can tell you more.
Fabienne Fierz practices practicing medicine in Zurich, Switzerland. Ms. Fierz is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Horner Syndrome. She is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Horner Syndrome, Eyelid Drooping, Retinopathy Pigmentary Mental Retardation, and Myasthenia Gravis.
Jonathan Trobe is an Ophthalmologist and a Neurologist practicing medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Trobe is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Horner Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 25 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Horner Syndrome, Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis, Papilledema, and Optic Neuritis. Dr. Trobe is currently accepting new patients.
Office
Richard Black is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Quincy, Massachusetts. Dr. Black is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Horner Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Chronic Kidney Disease, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and Visceromegaly. Dr. Black is currently accepting new patients.
The outcome depends on whether treatment of the cause is successful.
There are no direct complications of Horner syndrome itself. But, there may be complications from the disease that caused Horner syndrome or from its treatment.
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of Horner syndrome.
Summary: This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of a Modified Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block combined with Suprascapular Nerve Block (SSNB) versus Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block (ISB) in adult patients undergoing elective Bankart repair or Latarjet surgery under general anesthesia. Seventy patients will be randomized to receive either Modified PENG plu...
Summary: This single-center, randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial evaluates whether a stellate ganglion block (SGB) using bupivacaine can improve persistent symptoms in adults with long COVID. Participants are assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either an ultrasound-guided right-sided SGB or a placebo saline injection delivered to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. After the intervention, partic...
Published Date: May 04, 2026
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Professor of Neurology, Cooper-Inspira Neuroscience, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Tamhankar MA. Eye movement disorders: third, fourth, and sixth nerve palsies and other causes of diplopia and ocular misalignment. In: Liu GT, Volpe NJ, Galetta SL, eds. Liu, Volpe, and Galetta's Neuro-Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 15.
Thurtell MJ, Rucker JC. Pupillary and eyelid abnormalities. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 17.