photo #1799255

A photorealistic representation of Alexander the Great (r. 336-323 BCE) as he may have appeared in life. This reconstruction is based on archaeological evidence including busts, coin portraits and statuary, as well as descriptions of Alexander in historical accounts. He was described as having one blue eye and one green eye. In addition....modern doctors now believe that he had a rare eye condition known as Brown’s syndrome. Brown’s syndrome is a problem with the tendon that attaches to the outside of the eye (superior oblique muscle tendon). In Brown syndrome, this tendon can't move freely. This limits the eye's normal movements. The superior oblique muscle is responsible for: Pulling the eye toward the midline. Some people with Brown’s syndrome must hold their head at a particular angle in order to see straight. Brown’s syndrome can be inherited, or it can result from trauma. In the case of Alexander, it is likely to have been caused by a wound sustained in battle. He was known to have temporarily lost his sight after sustaining a head injury in one battle.