General Information About Horner's Syndrome
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a set of clinical symptoms caused by damage somewhere along the journey of the sympathetic nerve network—which controls involuntary eye movements and facial sweating—from the brainstem to the eye.
Occurring only on the damaged side of the face: 1- A slight drooping of the eyelid (ptosis), 2- The pupil becoming noticeably smaller compared to the other (miosis), 3- Cessation of sweating on that half of the face (anhidrosis).
The syndrome itself is the result of nerve damage rather than a disease. Tears in the carotid artery, tumors in the upper part of the lung (Pancoast tumor), brainstem strokes, or neck traumas can sever these nerves.
No, Horner's syndrome does not directly impair visual ability, visual acuity, or the internal structure of the eyeball. The problem lies only in the size of the pupil and the eyelid muscles.
Nerve damage is confirmed through a clinical examination by a neurologist and special pharmacological eye drops (cocaine or apraclonidine tests). Subsequently, Brain and Neck MRI scans are requested to find the location of the damage.
There is no specific treatment for Horner's syndrome itself. The main goal of treatment is to find and eliminate the underlying potentially fatal cause (such as a tumor, stroke, or torn blood vessel) that is compressing or severing the nerve pathway.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
