Ophthalmology » Ptosis

Ptosis

If the muscles elevating the upper lid (m. levator palpebrae, m. tarsalis) do not function properly the upper lid becomes ptotic. The ptosis may be associated with paralysis of the ocular muscles. It can be an independent disease or part of a syndrome. The most common cause of ptosis is congenital ptosis. Secondary ptosis may be a symptom of a muscle disease (myasthenia gravis, ophthalmoplegia progressiva externa, or myotonia dystrophica). The symptom may be associated with paresis of the oculomotor nerve because the nerve to m. levator palpebrae superioris is derived from n. oculomotorius. In this case the patient always has other symptoms in addition to the ptosis.

Mild ptosis needs no treatment if it does not cause cosmetic problems. Cosmetically unacceptable ptosis should be treated surgically.

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