This condition was originally described at the end of the 19th century. In 1905 Duane described 54 cases, summarized all the clinical findings, reviewed previous work, and offered theories on pathogenesis and treatment. DRS more frequently occurs in the left eye than in the right, and in females more than in males.
Bilateral involvement is less frequent than unilateral occurrence.
This condition is found in approximately 1 per cent of individuals with strabismus. The most characteristic clinical findings in DRS include an absence of abduction of an eye with slight limitation of adduction, retraction of the globe in attempted adduction, and up- and downshooting, or both in adduction. Type I. Marked limitation or complete absence of abduction, normal or only slightly restrict adduction, narrowing of the palpebral fissure and retraction of the globe on adduction, and widening of the palpebral fissure on attempted abduction. Electromyography shows absence of electrical activity in the lateral rectus muscle on abduction, but paradoxic electrical activity on adduction. Limitation or absence of adduction with exotropia of the affected eye.