Ptosis - infants and children

Blepharoptosis-children; Congenital ptosis;  Eyelid drooping-children; Eyelid drooping-amblyopia; Eyelid drooping-astigmatism

Ptosis in infants and children is often due to a problem with the muscle that raises the eyelid. A nerve problem in the eyelid can also cause it to droop.

Ptosis may also occur due to certain conditions. Some of these include:

• Trauma at birth (such as from the use of forceps)
• Eye-movement disorders
• Brain and nervous system problems
• Eyelid tumors or growths

Eyelid drooping that occurs later in childhood or adulthood may have other causes.

SYMPTOMS

Children with ptosis may tip their head back to see. They may raise their eyebrows to try to move the eyelid up. You may notice:

• Drooping of one or both eyelids
• Increased tearing
• Blocked vision (from severe eyelid drooping)

EXAMS AND TESTS

The health care provider will do a physical exam to determine the cause.

The provider also may do certain tests:

• Slit-lamp examination
• Visual field testing

Other tests may be done to check for diseases or illnesses that may be causing ptosis.

TREATMENT

Eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) can repair drooping upper eyelids.

• If vision is not affected, surgery can wait until age 3 to 4 when the child's eye has grown bigger.
• In severe cases, surgery is needed right away to prevent "lazy eye" (amblyopia).

The provider will also treat any eye problems from ptosis. Your child may need to:

• Wear an eye patch to strengthen vision in the weaker eye.
• Wear special glasses to correct an uneven curve of the cornea that causes blurred vision (astigmatism).

Children with mild ptosis should have regular eye exams to make sure amblyopia does not develop.

Surgery works well to improve the look and function of the eye. Some children need more than one surgery.

Contact your health care provider if:

• You notice your child has a drooping eyelid
• One eyelid suddenly droops or closes