WHAT IS MOEBIUS SYNDROME?
Moebius syndrome is a rare neurological condition that affects the muscles that control facial expressions and eye movement.
The symptoms are present from birth as patients are unable to smile, frown or raise their eyebrows.
They often also have a small chin and mouth and a short tongue while dental abnormalities are also common.
The condition also affects the muscles that control the eyes so patients have to move their heads to look from side to side.
In some cases, patients are unable to blink or close their eyes which can cause eye dryness or irritation.
Other features of the syndrome include bone abnormalities in the hands and feet, week muscles, hearing loss and delayed development.
Moebius syndrome is thought to affect between one in 50,000 and one in 500,000 people - but its cause is unknown.
Source: US National Library of Medicine
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