Duane Syndrome

Also known as: DS, DR syndrome, Duane radial ray syndrome (DRRS), Duane retraction syndrome, eye retraction syndrome, retraction syndrome, Stilling-Duane syndrome.

What is Duane syndrome?

Duane syndrome is a rare congenital eye movement disorder (a form of strabismus) present at birth (more often in girls) where there is difficulty moving the eyes (one or both) horizontally, inwards towards the nose, outwards towards the ears or in both directions (a miswiring of the eye muscles). In about 30% of children it’s associated with other conditions or syndromes.

What causes Duane syndrome?

The precise cause of Duane syndrome is often difficult to determine. It seems to occur as a result of genetic (inherited by either autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance from parents) and/or environmental factors.

What are the symptoms of Duane syndrome?

Clinically Duane syndrome is frequently divided into three types (and a further three subdivisions) depending on the limitation of eye movement and where the eyes are when the child looks straight.

What are Duane syndrome care options? 

Treatment of Duane syndrome may include eye patches, surgery to help correct some of the problems with the eye, special seating in school, and vision therapy.


Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: January 31, 2020 01:37 PM

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