National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Duane syndrome


Other Names:
Duane anomaly; Duane retraction syndrome; DRS; Duane anomaly; Duane retraction syndrome; DRS; Stilling-Turk-Duane syndrome See More
Categories:
Duane syndrome is a disorder of eye movement. This condition prevents outward movement of the eye (toward the ear), and in some cases may also limit inward eye movement (toward the nose). As the eye moves inward, the eyelids partially close and the eyeball pulls back (retracts) into its socket. Usually only one eye is affected. Some people with Duane syndrome develop amblyopia ("lazy eye"), a condition that causes vision loss in the affected eye. Most cases occur without other signs and symptoms. There are three forms of Duane syndrome, designated types 1, 2, and 3. The types vary in which eye movements are most severely restricted (inward, outward, or both). All three types are characterized by retraction of the eyeball as the eye moves inward and are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion.[1] 
Last updated: 3/26/2012
Duane syndrome (DS) is present at birth and is characterized by limitation of horizontal eye movement (a limited ability to move the eye inward toward the nose (adduction), outward toward the ear (abduction), or in both directions). In addition, during adduction, the eyeball pulls in and the eye opening (palpebral fissure) narrows. In some cases, when the eye attempts to look inward, it moves upward or downward. Duane syndrome has 3 sub-types which vary depending on which type of eye movement is most restricted.[2]

In Duane syndrome type 1, abduction is limited, but adduction is normal or close to normal. The eye opening narrows and the eyeball retracts into the orbit during adduction, and the reverse occurs during abduction. In Duane syndrome type 2, adduction is limited, and abduction is normal or only slightly limited. In Duane syndrome type 3, both adduction and abduction are limited. The eyeball retracts during adduction in types 2 and 3. Each of these three types has been further classified into three subgroups designated A, B, and C to describe the eyes when looking straight.

Duane syndrome is an isolated finding in approximately 70 percent of cases but may be associated with other abnormalities. Major anomalies that may be associated with DS may affect the skeletal system, ears, eyes, nervous system, and/or the kidneys and urinary tract.[2]
Last updated: 3/26/2012

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Oculomotor nerve palsy 0012246
Short palpebral fissure
Short opening between the eyelids
0012745
Strabismus
Cross-eyed
Squint
Squint eyes
[ more ] 		0000486
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Abnormal vertebral segmentation and fusion 0005640
Anteverted nares
Nasal tip, upturned
Upturned nasal tip
Upturned nose
Upturned nostrils
[ more ] 		0000463
Blepharophimosis
Narrow opening between the eyelids
0000581
Deeply set eye
Deep set eye
Deep-set eyes
Sunken eye
[ more ] 		0000490
Low posterior hairline
Low hairline at back of neck
0002162
Sensorineural hearing impairment 0000407
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Abnormal form of the vertebral bodies 0003312
Abnormal pupil morphology
Abnormality of the pupil
Pupillary abnormalities
Pupillary abnormality
[ more ] 		0000615
Abnormality of cardiovascular system morphology 0030680
Absent radius
Missing outer large bone of forearm
0003974
Amblyopia
Lazy eye
Wandering eye
[ more ] 		0000646
Aniridia
Absent iris
0000526
Anorectal anomaly 0012732
Aplasia/Hypoplasia of the thumb
Absent/small thumb
Absent/underdeveloped thumb
[ more ] 		0009601
Blepharospasm
Eyelid spasm
Eyelid twitching
Involuntary closure of eyelid
Spontaneous closure of eyelid
[ more ] 		0000643
Brachydactyly
Short fingers or toes
0001156
Camptodactyly
Permanent flexion of the finger or toe
0012385
Central heterochromia 0007818
Chorioretinal coloboma
Birth defect that causes a hole in the innermost layer at the back of the eye
0000567
Cleft palate
Cleft roof of mouth
0000175
Ectopic kidney
Abnormal kidney location
Displaced kidney
[ more ] 		0000086
Everted lower lip vermilion
Drooping lower lip
Outward turned lower lip
[ more ] 		0000232
External ear malformation 0008572
Facial asymmetry
Asymmetry of face
Crooked face
Unsymmetrical face
[ more ] 		0000324
Global developmental delay 0001263
Hypopigmented skin patches
Patchy loss of skin color
0001053
Hypoplasia of the radius
Underdeveloped outer large forearm bone
0002984
Hypoplastic iris stroma 0007990
Iris coloboma
Cat eye
0000612
Irregular hyperpigmentation 0007400
Microcephaly
Abnormally small skull
Decreased circumference of cranium
Decreased size of skull
Reduced head circumference
Small head circumference
[ more ] 		0000252
Microcornea
Cornea of eye less than 10mm in diameter
0000482
Micrognathia
Little lower jaw
Small jaw
Small lower jaw
[ more ] 		0000347
Narrow internal auditory canal 0011386
Nystagmus
Involuntary, rapid, rhythmic eye movements
0000639
Optic disc hypoplasia 0007766
Patchy hypopigmentation of hair 0011365
Plagiocephaly
Flat head syndrome
Flattening of skull
Rhomboid shaped skull
[ more ] 		0001357
Preauricular skin tag 0000384
Preaxial hand polydactyly
Extra thumb
0001177
Ptosis
Drooping upper eyelid
0000508
Seizure 0001250
Short neck
Decreased length of neck
0000470
Skeletal muscle atrophy
Muscle degeneration
Muscle wasting
[ more ] 		0003202
Spina bifida occulta 0003298
Stenosis of the external auditory canal
Narrowing of passageway from outer ear to middle ear
0000402
Talipes equinovarus
Club feet
Club foot
Clubfeet
Clubfoot
[ more ] 		0001762
Triphalangeal thumb
Finger-like thumb
0001199
Webbed neck
Neck webbing
0000465
Wide nasal bridge
Broad nasal bridge
Broad nasal root
Broadened nasal bridge
Increased breadth of bridge of nose
Increased breadth of nasal bridge
Increased width of bridge of nose
Increased width of nasal bridge
Nasal bridge broad
Wide bridge of nose
Widened nasal bridge
[ more ] 		0000431
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Last updated: 7/1/2020
Given the evidence that Duane syndrome (DS) results from an absence of the abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI) and aberrant innervation, and that it is associated with other anomalies in some cases, it is thought to result from a disturbance of normal embryonic development by either a genetic or an environmental factor at the time when the cranial nerves and ocular muscles are developing (between the third and sixth week of pregnancy). Genetic studies of two large families with DS inherited autosomal dominantly (without associated abnormalities) established that mutations in the CHN1 gene were found to be the cause in these and several other families.

Duane-radial ray syndrome (DRRS), inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, has been shown to be caused by mutations in the SALL4 gene. However, no SALL4 gene mutations were found in 25 sporadic cases of isolated DS (occurring in one individual in a family with no additional abnormalities).

DS can also be found as part of another complex autosomal recessive disorder (that can include deafness, facial weakness, vascular malformations and leaning difficulties) due to mutations in the HOXA1 gene. In addition, chromosome studies of individuals with DS and other abnormalities have, in rare cases, shown abnormalities that suggest other locations for genes responsible for causing DS.[3]
Last updated: 3/21/2012
The majority of cases of Duane syndrome are sporadic (occurring in individuals with no history of the condition in the family). About 10% of affected individuals appear to have other affected family members. Both autosomal dominant (most commonly) and autosomal recessive forms of Duane syndrome have been documented. In some families with dominant Duane syndrome, it has appeared to "skip a generation" (showing reduced penetrance) and it has also been shown to range in severity within the same family (showing variable expressivity).[3] Most familial cases are not associated with other anomalies. Given the large percentage of sporadic cases, it seems likely that both genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of Duane syndrome amongst affected individuals.[4][5] 
Last updated: 3/21/2012
The treatment of Duane syndrome may involve surgery. The goal of surgery is to eliminate or improve head turn, eliminate or reduce significant misalignment of the eyes, reduce severe retraction (when they eyeball pulls into the socket as the eye moves toward the nose), and improve upshoots and downshoots (when the eye deviates upward or downward with certain eye movements). No specific surgical technique has been completely successful in eliminating the abnormal eye movements. However, some procedures, used either alone or in combination, may be successful in improving or eliminating head turns and misalignment of the eyes. The choice of procedure varies among affected individuals. The success rate for surgery in eliminating an abnormal head position is estimated to be 79-100%.[6]

The management of Duane syndrome without surgery may include:[6]
  • special seating in school to accommodate a child's head turn
  • special rear-view mirrors to help during driving
  • a prism placed on the individual's glasses to correct for the face turn (though this is not commonly used)
  • vision therapy to treat secondary convergence insufficiency (inability of the eyes to turn towards each other or sustain this position)

More detailed information about the treatment of Duane syndrome is available on Medscape Reference's Web site and can be viewed here. You may need to register to view this information, but registration is free.

Last updated: 2/27/2013

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

In-Depth Information

  • GeneReviews provides current, expert-authored, peer-reviewed, full-text articles describing the application of genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of patients with specific inherited conditions.
  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) lists the subtypes and associated genes for Duane syndrome in a table called Phenotypic Series. Each entry in OMIM includes a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Duane syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • I have isolated Duane retraction syndrome. My left has retracted inward towards the nose and it appears smaller than the right. The last few years it really bothers me. I was wondering if there is anything I could do about it. I usually close my big eye a little bit so that they can appear even, but recently I noticed my left eye closing even more. This problem only increases with my left eye getting smaller over the years and it makes a really bad image of my face. If there is anything you can tell me that helps my condition I would be grateful. See answer

  • Duane syndrome affects my left eye. I have constant ringing in my left ear and neck pain when I look over my left shoulder. Are these issues related to Duane syndrome? My doctors did not know the answer. See answer

  • My daughter has Duane retraction syndrome. She is also left-handed and has very small ears and ear lobes. No one else on my side of the family, or her father's, have these signs. When her father was younger he experimented with LSD. I don't know how many times he took the drug. I remember hearing years ago that people who have taken LSD might have offspring with missing chromosomes. Has this been verified as being one cause of the major missing chromosome for DRS? See answer

  • I was born with Duane syndrome. Now I am close to the stage of deciding to have children. What are the chances of my children being born with Duane syndrome? See answer

  • Can in vitro fertilization cause Duane syndrome? See answer

  • I have Duane syndrome. These is no known family history. What the probability of passing this condition on to any future offspring? See answer

  • If a first child is affected by Duane syndrome, what is the likelihood that subsequent children will also be affected? Should genetic counseling be done prior to attempting a second pregnancy? See answer


  1. Isolated Duane retraction syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. March 2009; http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/isolated-duane-retraction-syndrome.
  2. Duane syndrome. NORD. February 2, 2012; http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/224/viewAbstract. Accessed 3/26/2012.
  3. Duane syndrome. NORD. February 2, 2012; http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/224/viewAbstract. Accessed 3/21/2012.
  4. Learning About Duane Syndrome. National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). September 2010; http://www.genome.gov/11508984. Accessed 11/18/2011.
  5. Verma A. Duane Syndrome. eMedicine. March 20, 2008; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1198559-overview. Accessed 3/12/2009.
  6. Arun Verma. Duane Syndrome. Medscape Reference. November 17, 2011; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1198559-overview. Accessed 2/22/2013.