El squint It is the deviation of the visual line of an eye, which causes the visual axes not to have the same direction. Duane syndrome (DS) is a type of squint restrictive, which means that it is caused by a specific factor that prevents the eye from moving in a certain direction.
DS is caused by an innervation of the lateral rectus muscle, which pulls on the eye and prevents its correct movement. In Área Oftalmológica Avanzada We explain what Duane syndrome is, as well as its types, causes and treatment.
What is Duane Syndrome?
Duane's syndrome is a restrictive strabismus caused by a lateral rectus muscle innervation that pulls the eye in a certain direction and prevents the normal movement of the eyeball.
DS is a congenital anomaly, which means that the innervation defect occurs as a result of a problem in the development of the fetus. Duane syndrome can be recognized by the following features:
- Limitation of horizontal eye movement.
- Decreased palpebral opening. The eye appears smaller than it is and the eyelid may be droopy.
- Vertical eye movements are abnormal.
- There may or may not be an obvious inward or outward ocular deviation.
- Torticollis, due to the patient's need to turn their head to compensate for vision.
Types of Duane Syndrome
There are different types of Duane syndrome that are classified according to the direction in which eye movement is altered:
Type I
The altered eye movement is outward.
Type II
Eye movement is impaired inward.
Type III
Eye movement is impaired both outward and inward.
Causes of Duane Retraction Syndrome
The causes of Duane syndrome are unknown. It is known that it is a congenital strabismus that has been caused by a problem in the development of the foetus external oculomotor nerve.
The cause that generates this problem during fetal development is currently unknown. However, we do know that autosomal dominant Duane syndrome is caused by a mutation in CHN1. This makes the condition present, most of the time, bilaterally.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of DS is made by clinical examination of the patient. In most cases, the specialist pediatric ophthalmology You notice that the newborn has an eye deviation or an intermittent strange look.
Lack of eye movement, size difference between both structures and abnormal position of the head can also be observed. To corroborate the diagnosis, a nuclear magnetic resonance of the brainstem and an electromyography are usually performed.
Surgical treatment
Duane syndrome does not affect the development of children. If this strabismus is manifested only when the patient looks sideways, it is not necessary to treat the DS. In more complicated cases in which there is strabismus when the child looks straight ahead or compensatory torticollis of the head, it will be necessary to resort to treatment.
In such cases, the patient may opt for the Duane Syndrome operation. There are different techniques to carry out this procedure, the objective of the intervention being to improve eyelid opening, strabismus and torticollis.
En Área Oftalmológica Avanzada we are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of Duane Syndrome. If your little one has any pathology related to this condition, do not hesitate to contact us and make an appointment with our professionals. We are delighted to welcome you!
