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El squint is the deviation of the visual line of one or both eyes. Causes the visual axes not to have the same direction. Brown syndrome is a squint restrictive, that is, that a specific cause is preventing the movement of the eye in a certain direction. 

Brown syndrome is caused by a problem with one of the tendons that attaches to the eyeball. In Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain below what Brown syndrome consists of, causes, symptoms and treatment. 

brown syndrome

What is it?

Brown syndrome is a restrictive strabismus that is caused by an impossibility of movement of the eye muscles. Specifically, when the superior oblique muscle tendon cannot move freely. This condition compromises the normal mobility of the eyeball and makes it impossible for the eye to rise when trying to look up and towards the nose. 

Brown syndrome is a congenital disease. However, sometimes it can develop later. 

Eye movements of a person with Brown syndrome

The superior oblique muscle tendon is attached to a small eye muscle that lifts the structure toward the middle, causing the eye to rotate and look down. 

A person with Brown syndrome in the right eye may have the following eye movements: 

  • You cannot look up when looking to the left. 
  • The eye has discomfort or pain. 

A person with Brown syndrome in the left eye has the following eye movements: 

  • The eye may not be able to look up when looking to the right. 
  • Both eyes are aligned with each other when looking straight ahead. 
  • The affected eye may look slightly lower than the good eye. 

Causes of Brown syndrome

Congenital Brown syndrome is present from birth and is caused by an abnormality in the formation of the superior oblique muscle tendon or sheath of the superior oblique muscle. Usually the tendon or sheath is too short or too thick. 

Any factor that thickens, shortens, inflames or creates scar tissue in the superior oblique muscle tendon can cause acquired Brown syndrome, let's see: 

  • Eye injuries 
  • Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. 
  • Inflammation of the white part of the eye. 
  • Complications after eye surgery. 
  • Sinus infection. 

Symptom

The symptoms that characterize Brown syndrome are: 

  • Blurry vision.
  • Double vision
  • Strabismus or lack of alignment in the visual axes.
  • Fallen Eyelids.
  • Inability to focus with both eyes unless the chin is lifted or the head is tilted.

Transmission

The treatment of Brown Syndrome consists in preventing the occurrence of lazy eye, the eye deviates when the patient looks forward or a compensatory torticollis occurs. Treatment options for Brown syndrome include: 

Surgery

There are different surgical techniques that make possible the correct movement of the superior oblique tendon. The procedure to be performed depends exclusively on the age and health status of the patient. In most cases, the intervention is carried out under the effects of general anesthesia. 

Pharmaceutical products

Brown syndrome that is caused by an inflammatory process can be treated with corticosteroid medications or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.

If you think you or your child is suffering from this condition, we advise you to visit our Área Oftalmológica Avanzada for a review.

Summary
Brown's syndrome
Article name
Brown's syndrome
Description
Brown syndrome is a restrictive strabismus that is caused by an inability to move the eye muscles.
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Área Oftalmológica Avanzada
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