PART OF THE VISUAL SYSTEM AFFECTED- the eyes muscles
DESCRIPTION-
 Drooping or sagging of the upper eyelid
 Different types are: acquired, Apo neurotic, congenital dystrophic, mechanical, myogenic, Neurogenic, traumatic, upside down
EFFECTS ON THE CONDITION OF THE VISUAL SYSTEM-
 This condition also can be caused by a problem with the muscles lifting the eyelid, called levators.
 Sometimes a person's facial anatomy causes difficulties with the levator muscles.
COMMON TREATMENTS-
 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.
 A physical examination is used to determine the cause.
 Special tests may be done to evaluate suspected causes, such as myasthenia gravis.
MEDICATIONS- n/a
SURGERIES-
 Surgery usually is the best treatment for drooping eyelids.
 Your surgeon tightens levator muscles to lift eyelids, giving you improved vision and appearance.
 In very severe cases involving weakened levator muscles, your surgeon attaches the eyelid under the eyebrow. This allows the forehead muscles to substitute for levator muscles in lifting the eyelid.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS-
 In most cases, the outlook is good.
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 Surgery usually can correct the drooping eyelid in children with congenital ptosis and adults with age-related ptosis.
 In some cases, corrective surgery causes the eyes to remain open slightly during sleep, so a nighttime lubricant is applied to the eyes to prevent drying, double vision, muscle fatigue or weakness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, headache, or tingling or numbness anywhere in your body
CONGENITAL OR ADVENTITIOUS-
 If a droopy eyelid is present at birth or within the first year of life, the condition is called congenital ptosis.
 In most cases of congenital ptosis, the problem is isolated and does not affect the vision.
 Any ptosis that develops over a period of days or weeks can signal a serious medical problem and needs further neurologic and physical evaluation.
PROGRESSIVE OR STABLE-
 Ptosis is often a long-term problem.
 In most children with untreated congenital ptosis, the condition is fairly stable and does not get worse as the child grows.
 In people with age-related ptosis, however, the drooping can increase gradually over the years.
ANTICIPATED FUNCTIONAL IMPLICATIONS-
 The expected outcome depends on the cause of the ptosis.
 Surgery is usually very successful in restoring appearance and function.
REFERENCES-
Cassin, B., Rubin, M.L. (2006). Dictionary of Eye Terminology. (5 th
Triad Publishing Company.
Edition). Florida: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1212815-overview http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002013/ http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/droopinglids.htm http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/9845.html http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/References/glossary_entry990.ht
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Developed by LeAundra Ottmo