Horner syndrome is a rare condition that affects the nerves to the eye and face.

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 run to the face.

Sympathetic nerve fiber injuries can result from:

• Injury to one of the main arteries to the brain (carotid artery)
• Injury to nerves in the neck called the brachial plexus
• Migraine or cluster headaches
• 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).

Images

Central nervous system

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Horner syndrome Symptoms

Review Date: 06/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)