Ptosis

The abnormal descent or prolapse of an organ or anatomical structure, most commonly the upper eyelid, resulting in drooping due to dysfunction of supporting tissues, muscles, or neural pathways.

Causes

• Age-related aponeurotic ptosis due to weakening/streching of eyelid tissue

• Congenital ptosis: Developmental abnormalities of the levator muscle

• Neurological causes

  • Stroke

  • Brain tumor

  • Intracranial aneurysm

  • Diabetic neuropathy

  • Horner syndrome

  • Oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III) palsy

• Neuromuscular causes

  • Myasthenia gravis

  • Muscular dystrophy

• Traumatic and iatrogenic causes

  • Eyelid trauma

  • Mechanical ptosis from eyelid masses or swelling

  • Inflammatory or infiltrative eyelid disorders

  • Previous ocular or eyelid surgery

  • Long-term rigid contact lens use causing eyelid tissue stretching