[Dynamics of the pupillary light reflex in unilateral Horner's syndrome].

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to characterise the changes of the dynamic pupillary light reflex in patients with unilateral Horner's syndrome by appropriate pupillographic parameters.

METHODS

The dynamic changes of pupillary diameter in response to light flashes of 100 ms were recorded in darkness with two infrared video cameras in 15 patients.

RESULTS

Significant changes in the pupillary light reflex of the affected side were observed only during the phase of redilatation. The decelerated redilatation was defined by the following parameters: (1) time parameters (percentage of redilatation after 4 s and after 5 s, time to reach 67% and 75% of redilatation) and (2) amplitude-adjusted velocity parameters (relative velocity at 67% and at 75% of redilatation).

CONCLUSION

A slowed pupil redilatation in patients with Horner's syndrome can be detected also after short light flashes and is characterised by prolonged redilatation time parameters and reduced amplitude-adjusted redilatation velocity parameters.