Blepharoptosis or Ptosis

Eyes | Ophthalmology | Blepharoptosis or Ptosis (Symptom)


Description

Blepharoptosis is a condition that involves drooping or falling of the upper or lower eyelid. The drooping may aggravate after long periods of lack of sleep, when the individual's muscles are tired.

Drooping eyelids may occur on both sides, known as bilateral or on one side only called unilateral, in which case it is more easily noticed. Congenital ptosis is eyelid drooping that is present at birth; when it develops later, it is referred to as acquired ptosis. Blepharoptosis may be barely noticeable or quite prominent.

Causes

Drooping eyelid can be caused by the normal aging process, a congenital abnormality meaning that it was present before birth, or the result of an injury or disease.

The causes or underlying conditions that could possibly cause ptosis may be: eyelid conditions, birth trauma, brain tumor, diabetes, cerebral aneurysm, normal ageing process, external ophthalmoplegia, eye inflammation or deformity, inflammatory disorders of the conjunctiva, lacrimal gland tumor, post-trauma, congenital, stroke, syphilis, diabetic neuropathy, botulism etc.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Symptoms include drooping of one or both eyelids, increased tearing and if ptosis is severe, interference with vision.

If an underlying disease is found, the treatment will be specific to that disease. Most cases of ptosis are associated with aging and there is no disease involved. Surgery can be done to improve the appearance of the eyelids in milder cases if the patient wants it. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct interference with vision. In children with ptosis, surgery may be necessary to prevent amblyopia.

...