Horner syndrome is a rare condition that affects the nerves to the eye and face.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
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.
Sympathetic nerve fiber injuries can result from:
Injury to one of the main arteries to the brain (carotid artery)
Injury to nerves at the base of the neck called the brachial plexus
Stroke, tumor, or other damage to a part of the brain called the brainstem
Tumor in the top of the lung
Rarely, Horner syndrome may be present at birth (congenital). The condition may occur with a lack of color (pigmentation) of the iris (colored part of the eye).
Symptoms
Decreased sweating on the affected side of the face
You may need to be referred to a doctor who specializes in vision problems related to the nervous system (neuro-ophthalmologist).
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. There is no treatment for Horner syndrome itself.
Expectations (prognosis)
The outcome depends on whether treatment of the cause is successful.
Complications
There are no direct complications of Horner syndrome itself. However, there may be complications from the disease that caused Horner syndrome or from its treatment.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of Horner syndrome.
Review Date:
5/21/2012
Reviewed By:
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and Department of Anatomy at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
