Horner’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that affects the sympathetic nerves controlling the eye and surrounding tissues on one side of the face, causing a drooping eyelid, constricted pupil, and decreased sweating on the affected side. It results from damage to the sympathetic nerve pathway, which can be caused by various factors including tumors, stroke, or other medical conditions.
Key Symptoms:
Ptosis: Drooping of the upper eyelid on the affected side.
Miosis: Constricted pupil (smaller than the pupil on the unaffected side).
Anhidrosis: Decreased or absent sweating on the affected side of the face.
Enophthalmos: Sinking of the eyeball into its socket.
Iris heterochromia: In rare cases, a difference in iris color between the two eyes (lighter color on the affected side) if the syndrome develops before age 2.
Causes:
Lesions along the sympathetic nerve pathway: Horner’s syndrome can be caused by any interruption in the sympathetic nerve pathway from the brain to the eye, including tumors, vascular problems, infections, or trauma.
Pancoast tumor: A type of lung cancer that can compress the sympathetic nerves.
Other conditions: Stroke, meningitis, shingles, and other medical conditions can also damage the sympathetic nerves.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis is usually made based on the characteristic symptoms, and further tests may be needed to identify the underlying cause.