BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuHorner syndromeOculosympathetic paresis; Horner's syndromeHorner syndrome is a rare condition that affects the nerves to the eyes and face. Causes 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 MigraineA migraine is a type of headache. It may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. In most people, a throbbi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cluster headachesA cluster headache is an uncommon type of headache. It is one-sided head pain that may involve tearing of the eyes, a droopy eyelid, and a stuffy no...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stroke, tumor, or other damage to a part of the brain called the brainstem StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 injurySpinal cord injurySpinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from disease of the nearby bones,...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Symptoms of Horner syndrome may include:Decreased sweating on the affected side of the face Drooping eyelid (ptosis) Drooping eyelidEyelid drooping is excess sagging of the upper eyelid. The edge of the upper eyelid may be lower than it should be (ptosis) or there may be excess b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinking of the eyeball into the face Different sizes of pupils of the eyes (anisocoria) with the affected side pupil being smallerAnisocoriaAnisocoria is unequal pupil size. The pupil is the black part in the center of the eye. It gets larger in dim light and smaller in bright light....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Vertigo Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness. Vertigo is not the same as being lightheaded. People with vertig...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Double vision Lack of muscle control and coordination Arm pain, weakness and numbness One sided neck and ear pain Hoarseness HoarsenessHoarseness refers to difficulty making sounds when trying to speak. Vocal sounds may be weak, breathy, scratchy, or husky, and the pitch or quality ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hearing loss Bladder and bowel difficulty Overreaction of the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system to stimulation (hyperreflexia)HyperreflexiaAutonomic dysreflexia (AD) is an abnormal, overreaction of the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system to stimulation. This reaction may include: Cha...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms.An eye exam may show:Changes in how the pupil opens or closes Constricted pupil Eyelid drooping Red eyeDepending on the suspected cause, tests may be done, such as:Blood tests Blood vessel tests of the head (angiogram) AngiogramCerebral angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray or chest CT scan Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest CT scanA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI or CT scan of the brain or cervical spine MRIA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the brainA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) Spinal tapCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Electromyography and nerve conduction studies if nerve root or brachial plexus injury is suspectedElectromyographyElectromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve conduction studiesNerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test to see how fast electrical signals move through a nerve. This test is done along with electromyography (EM...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article You may need to be referred to a provider who specializes in vision problems related to the nervous system (neuro-ophthalmologist). Treatment 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. Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome depends on whether treatment of the cause is successful. Possible Complications 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. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of Horner syndrome.Open ReferencesReferencesBalcer 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.AllVideoImagesTogCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationRelated Information Ptosis - infants and children(Symptoms)Eyelid drooping(Condition) Review Date: 6/13/2024 Reviewed 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. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. 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Horner syndromeOculosympathetic paresis; Horner's syndromeHorner syndrome is a rare condition that affects the nerves to the eyes and face. Causes 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 MigraineA migraine is a type of headache. It may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. In most people, a throbbi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cluster headachesA cluster headache is an uncommon type of headache. It is one-sided head pain that may involve tearing of the eyes, a droopy eyelid, and a stuffy no...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stroke, tumor, or other damage to a part of the brain called the brainstem StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 injurySpinal cord injurySpinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from disease of the nearby bones,...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Symptoms of Horner syndrome may include:Decreased sweating on the affected side of the face Drooping eyelid (ptosis) Drooping eyelidEyelid drooping is excess sagging of the upper eyelid. The edge of the upper eyelid may be lower than it should be (ptosis) or there may be excess b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinking of the eyeball into the face Different sizes of pupils of the eyes (anisocoria) with the affected side pupil being smallerAnisocoriaAnisocoria is unequal pupil size. The pupil is the black part in the center of the eye. It gets larger in dim light and smaller in bright light....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Vertigo Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness. Vertigo is not the same as being lightheaded. People with vertig...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Double vision Lack of muscle control and coordination Arm pain, weakness and numbness One sided neck and ear pain Hoarseness HoarsenessHoarseness refers to difficulty making sounds when trying to speak. Vocal sounds may be weak, breathy, scratchy, or husky, and the pitch or quality ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hearing loss Bladder and bowel difficulty Overreaction of the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system to stimulation (hyperreflexia)HyperreflexiaAutonomic dysreflexia (AD) is an abnormal, overreaction of the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system to stimulation. This reaction may include: Cha...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms.An eye exam may show:Changes in how the pupil opens or closes Constricted pupil Eyelid drooping Red eyeDepending on the suspected cause, tests may be done, such as:Blood tests Blood vessel tests of the head (angiogram) AngiogramCerebral angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray or chest CT scan Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest CT scanA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI or CT scan of the brain or cervical spine MRIA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the brainA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) Spinal tapCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Electromyography and nerve conduction studies if nerve root or brachial plexus injury is suspectedElectromyographyElectromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nerve conduction studiesNerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test to see how fast electrical signals move through a nerve. This test is done along with electromyography (EM...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article You may need to be referred to a provider who specializes in vision problems related to the nervous system (neuro-ophthalmologist). Treatment 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. Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome depends on whether treatment of the cause is successful. Possible Complications 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. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of Horner syndrome.Open ReferencesReferencesBalcer 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.
