Horner’s Syndrome

Horner’s Syndrome – also called Horner Syndrome, Bernard-Horner Syndrome or oculo-sympathetic palsy – is a rare brachial plexus birth injury caused by injury to the nerves at the C7 or C8 and T1 levels of the spine that interrupts or destroys the nerve fiber pathway between the hypothalamus in the brain to the face. Horner’s Syndrome primarily affects the eyes and face.

This condition is classified as a “syndrome” because it encompasses a collection of symptoms.

Symptoms of Horner’s Syndrome include anisocoria (unequal pupil size), myosis (constricted or decreased pupil size), ptosis (drooping eyelid), enophthalmos (retraction or sinking of eyeball into the orbital cavity), anhidrosis (decreased sweating on affected side of the face), swelling of the lower eyelid, bloodshot conjunctiva and decreased tear production. Occasionally the condition results in heterochromia (difference in eye color). An eye that “droops” is frequently an indication of an avulsion, which is a complete tear of the brachial plexus nerve from the spinal cord.

There is no direct treatment for Horner’s Syndrome.