Horner SyndromeSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
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
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)
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the condition. There is no treatment for Horner syndrome itself. Ptosis is very mild and in rare cases affects vision in Horner syndrome. This can be corrected by cosmetic surgery or treated with eyedrops. Your provider can tell you more.
Fabienne Fierz practices in Zurich, Switzerland. Ms. Fierz is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Horner Syndrome. Her top areas of expertise are Horner Syndrome, Retinopathy Pigmentary Mental Retardation, Myasthenia Gravis, and Ptosis.
Jonathan Trobe is an Ophthalmologist and a Neurologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Trobe is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Horner Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Horner Syndrome, Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis, Papilledema, and Optic Neuritis. Dr. Trobe is currently accepting new patients.
Rampart Clinic Neurology & Neuro-Ophthalmology
Dr. Pham is originally from Texas, although having lived in all four of the major time zones of the United States, he is ready to lay down some roots in Colorado. Dr. Pham studied biomedical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin before completing medical school at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston (now known as the McGovern Medical School). He completed an internship and residency in neurology at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland and completed a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. After completing his fellowship, Dr. Pham worked in the Denver community as a neurologist and neuro-ophthalmologist before joining SCL Health Medical Group. Dr. Pham is board-certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and was promoted to fellow member status in the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society in 2022. His clinical interests include optic neuritis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and double vision.“I strive to provide high-quality neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic care that is tailored to the individual needs of my patients.”When not working, Dr. Pham enjoys playing recreational ice hockey and learning how to cook anything and everything. Dr. Pham is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Horner Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Increased Intracranial Pressure, Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome, Meningitis, and Papilledema.
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.
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Published Date: June 13, 2024
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at 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.
Balcer LJ. Pupillary disorders. In: Liu GT, Volpe NJ, Galetta SL, eds. Liu, Volpe, and Galetta's Neuro-Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 13.
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.