Blepharoptosis

Blepharoptosis is as an alternative term meaning the same as ptosis.

Blepharoptosis refers to the drooping of the upper eyelid, that is the upper eyelid resting at a lower position than is normal. Either just one eye (unilateral) or both eye (bilateral) may be affected.

Possible causes of blepharoptosis include:

• Disorder of the third cranial nerve, the oculomotor nerve.
  In this case blepharoptosis is likely to be accompanied by paralysis of eye movements.
  .
• Horner's Syndrome.
  In this case blepharoptosis is likely to be accompanied by a small pupil and absence of sweating on the affected side of the face
  .
• Myasthenia Gravis.
  In this case blepharoptosis will increase with fatigue (tiredness) and be part of more widespread fatigue.
  .
• Congenital.
  In this case the blepharoptosis is present from birth.
  .
• Disease of the eye muscles.
  In this case the blepharoptosis is accompanied by weak or lacking ability to move the eye.

Treatment options include addressing any treatable cause(s).
If appropriate, surgery may be recommended and may involve adjustments to relevant tissues and facial muscles.

More about Ophthalmology: This section includes short definitions of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system. For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include the diagram of the eye, and definitions of parts of the eye, a description of the human retina, and definitions of parts of the retina, and the section of short definitions of clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system.

For further information see also our section of Books about Ophthalmology.

This Section is about
Diseases and Disorders of the Eyes and Visual System.
To read about other diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and human visual system, use the links on the left-side of this page.