Aims-To evaluate whether isolated Horner's syndrome presenting in the first year of life warrants investigation. Method-Retrospective review of 23 children presenting with Horner's syndrome in the first year of life. Results-In 16 patients (70%) no cause was identified. Birth trauma was the most common identifiable cause (four patients). Twenty one children (91%) had urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) measured and 13 patients (57%) underwent either computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the chest and neck. These investigations revealed previously undisclosed pathology in only two-one ganglioneuroma of the left pulmonary apex and one cervical neuroblastoma. A further patient was known to have abdominal neuroblastoma before presenting with Horner's syndrome. There were no cases of Horner's syndrome occurring after cardiothoracic surgery. Long term follow up of the patients (mean 9.3 years) has not revealed further pathology. Conclusions-Routine diagnostic imaging of isolated Horner's syndrome in infancy is unnecessary. Infants should be examined for cervical or abdominal masses and involvement of other cranial nerves. If the Horner's syndrome is truly isolated then urinary VMA levels and follow up in conjunction with a paediatrician should detect any cases associated with neuroblastoma. Further investigation is warranted if the Horner's syndrome is acquired or associated with other signs such as increasing heterochromia, a cervical mass, or cranial nerve palsies. (Br J Ophthalmol 1998;82:51-54) Horner's syndrome occurs as a result of a lesion anywhere along the oculosympathetic pathway from the hypothalamus to the orbit.

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This study confirms that PNCE can result from sequence variants in an unknown gene at the STBMS1 locus. However, this locus accounts for only a proportion of cases, and other genetic loci remain to be identified. In contrast with the previously reported family, the pedigree described in this study is consistent with dominant rather than recessive inheritance at the STBMS1 locus.

Exposure to opiates and benzodiazepines in utero may be associated with permanent nystagmus and reduced visual acuity. This is most likely the result of insult(s) to the central nervous system rather than the eyes.

Background: Adjustable sutures have revolutionized strabismus surgery. Numerous techniques have been described that aim to facilitate postoperative adjustment. Nevertheless, some sort of procedure is always necessary following adjustable suture surgery and has to be arranged within 24 hours. Where no adjustment is required, the muscle needs to be secured at the existing position and the conjunctiva, sometimes left on a loop, has to be tidied up and sutured. Methods: As fewer than half of the operated on eyes need a final adjustment, we describe a technique whereupon the muscle is left on a loop and the conjunctiva is closed over it with two interrupted polyglactin 910 sutures. If an adjustment is deemed necessary, one of the sutures has to be cut and replaced at the end of the procedure. When the result of squint surgery is satisfactory and no muscle movement is needed, no further manipulation of the conjunctiva is required. Conclusions: In a series of 17 patients, we have found this technique to be excellent for patient comfort and time efficiency. We have not encountered any muscle slippage. We think that the ease of postoperative management may tend to bias the surgeon against adjustment. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2004;41:226-229 .