Horner's Syndroom click here

Horner's Syndrome is the name of a disease in which there is damage to the sympathetic nerves to the eye. These nerves are responsible for the involuntary movements of the eye, such as constricting the pupil when there is a lot of light.

Unlike the optic nerves that are responsible for the voluntary movements of the eye, the sympathetic nerves do not run directly from the head to the eye, but leave the spinal cord at the level of the neck/back transition. From there they run next to the vertebrae back to the head and eye.

 

The causes are usually to be found in an injury to the spinal cord of the neck, often a disc herniation or an accident. Other causes exist but are less common. Sometimes no cause can be found, despite all investigations. One then speaks of vanidiopathic Horner's Syndrome

 

Symptoms

 

The symptoms of Horner's syndrome are typical and usually only affect one eye:

 

drooping upper eyelid

the eye lies deeper in the eye socket

the pupil is smaller

the third eyelid is more visible

Depending on the cause of Horner's syndrome, other symptoms may also occur.

 

Diagnosis

 

Horner's Syndrome is not a disease, but a syndrome. If Horner's syndrome is diagnosed, the vet will try to find the cause of the occurrence of Horner's syndrome.

Usually this starts with taking radiographs. Additional specialized investigations are sometimes necessary.

 

Therapy

 

Treatment, of course, depends on the cause of Horner's Syndrome.

 

Prognosis

 

The prognosis also depends to a large extent on the cause and the success with which it can be treated.