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Ptosis is also called Dropping Eyelids. Ptosis affects only the upper eyelid and can be present in one or both eyes. The lid can droop a slight bit so that it's barely noticeable, or the drooping lid can cover the whole pupil. Ptosis affects both children and adults. The lid may droop only slightly, or it may cover the pupil entirely. In some cases, ptosis can restrict and even block normal vision. It can be present in children, as well as adults, and is usually treated with surgery. Ptosis can:
Ptosis in children Ptosis which is present at birth is often caused by poor development of the muscle which lifts the eyelid, called the levator. Although it is usually an isolated problem, a child born with ptosis may also have:
Ptosis can be present at birth, called congenital ptosis, or come about as a result of aging, injury or an after-effect of cataract or other eye surgery. This condition can also be caused by a problem with the muscles lifting the eyelid, called levators. Sometimes an individual's facial anatomy causes difficulties with the levator muscles. An eye tumor, neurological disorder or systemic disease like diabetes may result in drooping eyelids. Ptosis may also be inherited. In general, ptosis is divided into several types, determined by the cause of the drooping eyelid. Myogenic ptosis means that the lid sags because of a problem with the muscle that raises the eyelid. Neurogenic ptosis refers to the condition where the nerve supply to the muscle is affected. Mechanical ptosis occurs when the weight of the eyelid is too great for the muscles to lift. Involutional ptosis develops when the muscular connections in the eyelid weaken. Myogenic ptosis is usually a reflection of a systemic muscle disorder. When the muscles are weakened by disease, they cannot pull the eyelid up into position. The muscles that raise the eyelid are the levator muscle and Muller's muscle. An example of a muscle condition that causes ptosis is MYASTHENIA GRAVIS. This is a disease in which the voluntary muscles in the body weaken due to abnormalities within the muscles, themselves. People with myasthenia gravis will often have drooping eyelids as well as crossed eyes due to imbalance of the muscles that control eye movement. In congenital myogenic ptosis, the eyelid muscles are either scarred or do not work. Abnormal nerve function causes neurogenic ptosis.
The most obvious sign of ptosis is the drooping eyelid. Depending on how severely the lid droops, people with ptosis may have difficulty seeing as a result. Sometimes people with drooping eyelids tilt their heads back to try to see under the lid, or raise their eyebrows repeatedly to try to lift the eyelids.
Surgery is usually the treatment of choice for drooping eyelids. Surgery offers not only improved vision but an enhanced cosmetic appearance. The levator muscles are tightened during this procedure, or in very severe cases with weakened levator muscles, the eyelid is attached under the eyebrow to allow the forehead muscles to lift the eyelid, rather than the levator muscles. After surgery, both eyelids may not appear symmetrical, though the lid is higher than before surgery. Very rarely, eyelid movement may be lost. Children born with moderate or severe ptosis require treatment in order for proper vision to develop. If the ptosis is not treated, amblyopia, a lack of central vision development, and a lifetime of poor vision can result. Children with ptosis, regardless of whether they have surgery, should have a follow-up visit with their eyecare practitioner on a yearly basis. The eyes change shape as they grow, and sometimes focusing and visual problems develop with the eyes. For more information of Ptosis and its treatment:
Source(s): All above information & images are based on an article written by Gretchyn Bailey allaboutvision.com and various other sources. All rights reserved by respective owners. For our full credit and copyright information please view our Credit List.
Disclaimer: Any information displayed here is just for educational purposes, and may not be taken as an expert advice and should not be applied in life without consulting your eye doctor/specialist. We here by take no responsiblity of the accuracy of the above content as they have been taken from various sources. |
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Did you know ?
About 200 children are diagnosed with retinoblastoma (eye cancer) each year in the United States. This cancer affects about one out of every 20,000 children, accounting for 3.1% of all childhood cancers. Most children with retinoblastoma are under four years of age. About 75% of children with retinoblastoma have a tumor in one eye. In about 25% of cases, both eyes are affected. [submit fact]
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