Brown Syndrome

BROWN SYNDROME

Brown syndrome is a condition typically present from birth but at times acquired later in life in which the eye is unable to move up, especially when it is turned in toward the nose. This is caused by the inability of the superior oblique muscle, one of the eye muscles, to slide through its natural pulley system along the bony wall of the eye socket. This condition is often first noted in a child when the parent notes that the uninvolved eye is “floating” up when the child looks to the side, when actually it is the other eye which is not moving up normally.

Brown syndrome is often only an incidental finding on an eye exam in which case no treatment is needed. However, if the involved eye is lower than the other eye when the individual is looking straight ahead, or an abnormal head position is needed to keep the eyes aligned, eye muscle surgery is then required to correct the problem.