Duane syndrome
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
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General Discussion
Duane syndrome (DS) is an eye movement disorder present at birth (congenital) characterized by horizontal eye movement limitation [a limited ability to move the eye inward toward the nose (adduction), outward toward the ear (abduction), or in both directions]. In addition, when the affected eye(s) moves inward toward the nose, the eyeball retracts (pulls in) and the eye opening (palpebral fissure) narrows. In some cases, when the eye attempts to look inward, it moves upward (upshoot) or downward (downshoot).
Duane syndrome falls under the larger heading of strabismus (misalignment of the eyes) under the sub-classification of incomitant strabismus (misalignment of the eyes that varies with gaze directions) and subheading of what was previously termed extraocular fibrosis syndromes (conditions associated with fibrosis of the muscles that move the eyes), now termed Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders (CCDDs). The CCDDs are a group of congenital neuromuscular diseases resulting from developmental errors in innervation, the abnormalities involve one or more cranial nerves/nuclei with absence of normal innervation and/or secondary aberrant innervation. The group includes Duane syndrome, congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles (CFEOM), congenital ptosis, Marcus Gunn Jaw winking, Möbius syndrome, Crocodile tears, horizontal gaze palsy and congenital facial palsy, but this is not an exhaustive list.
Duane syndrome has been subdivided clinically into three types: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3.
Supporting Organizations
Cleft Lip and Palate Foundation of Smiles
- 2044 Michael Ave SW
- Wyoming, MI 49509
- Tel: (616)329-1335
- Email: Rachelmancuso09@comcast.net
- Website: http://www.cleftsmile.org
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
- PO Box 8126
- Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
- Tel: (301)251-4925
- Fax: (301)251-4911
- Tel: (888)205-2311
- Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/
Let Them Hear Foundation
- 1900 University Avenue, Suite 101
- East Palo Alto, CA 94303
- Tel: (650)462-3174
- Fax: (650)462-3144
- Email: info@letthemhear.org
- Website: http://www.letthemhear.org
March of Dimes
- 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
- White Plains, NY 10605
- Tel: (914)997-4488
- Fax: (914)997-4763
- Email: AskUs@marchofdimes.org or preguntas@nacersano.org
- Website: http://www.marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org
NIH/National Eye Institute
- 31 Center Dr
- MSC 2510
- Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
- United States
- Tel: (301)496-5248
- Fax: (301)402-1065
- Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov
- Website: http://www.nei.nih.gov/
NIH/Office of Rare Disease Research
- 6701 Democracy Boulevard
- Suite 1001, MSC 4874
- Bethesda, MD 20892-7518
- Tel: (301)402-4336
- Fax: (301)480-9655
- Email: ordr@od.nih.gov
- Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov
Schepens Eye Research Institute
- 20 Staniford Street
- Boston, MA 02114-2500
- Tel: (617)912-0100
- Fax: (617)912-0101
- Email: richard.godfrey@schepens.harvard.edu
- Website: http://www.theschepens.org/
For a Complete Report
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.
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This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
Last Updated: 4/28/2015
Copyright 2015 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
