General Information About Ptosis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the sagging of the upper eyelid from its normal position, dropping low enough to cover the colored part of the eye (iris) or the pupil.
Both are possible. In infants, it can be congenital due to poor development of the muscle that lifts the eyelid (Congenital Ptosis). In adults, it is acquired later in life as the tendons holding the muscle loosen with age (Acquired Ptosis).
A sudden acquired drooping of the eyelid (especially one that worsens later in the day) can be the first sign of Myasthenia Gravis, Horner's Syndrome, or a 3rd cranial nerve palsy in the brain.
If the eyelid completely covers the infant's pupil (visual axis), that eye cannot receive light. The brain shuts down the nerves of the unused eye, resulting in permanent 'Lazy Eye' (Amblyopia). This condition requires emergency surgery.
Yes. In advanced age, the skin of the upper eyelid may become loose and sag downward (Dermatochalasis); however, the muscle that lifts the lid is intact here. In ptosis, there is no issue with the skin itself; the muscle mechanism of the eyelid is defective.
If the problem is muscle weakness, surgery is performed. If the muscle that lifts the eyelid (levator) still has some strength, the muscle is surgically shortened and tightened (resection surgery). If the muscle has no power at all, the eyelid is suspended from the forehead muscle (frontal sling), allowing the eye to open via forehead movement.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
