Ptosisenparentshttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/headers/KH_generic_header_12_2.jpgPtosis is drooping of the upper eyelid. Many things can cause it.eyes, eyelids, eye lids, drooping eyelid, eyelid droops, amblyopia, droopy eyelid, blepharoptosis09/25/201909/30/201909/30/2019Daniel J. Lattin, MD09/23/2019d76462ae-98c9-43ee-a0ec-1e1ec3ceaef0https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/ptosis.html/<h3>What Is Ptosis?</h3>
<p>Ptosis (TOE-sis) is drooping of the upper eyelid. Sometimes it's a symptom of another medical condition, but it also can happen by itself.</p>
<h3>What Happens in Ptosis?</h3>
<p>Normally, eyelids open when the brain sends a signal to the eyelid-lifting muscles. This signal is carried by nerves. Then, muscles lift the eyelids.</p>
<p>In ptosis, something goes wrong in this process, so one or both eyelids hang low. The problem could be:</p>
<ul class="kh_longline_list">
<li>The brain or a nerve isn't working right. </li>
<li>The nerves and the muscles have a connection problem.</li>
<li>The eyelid-lifting muscles are weak or missing.</li>
<li>The eyelid muscle isn't attached to the eyelid properly.</li>
</ul>
<p>Sometimes, the eyelid doesn't open at all. Ptosis can affect one eye or both eyes. </p>
<h3>What Problems Can Happen?</h3>
<p>Eyelids can hang low enough to cover the pupil and block vision. This can lead to poor vision ("lazy eye" or <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/amblyopia.html/">amblyopia</a>) or complete blindness. Some types of ptosis also are linked to problems in the light-sensitive part of the eye (retinopathy).</p>
<h3>What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Ptosis?</h3>
<p>A child with ptosis may:</p>
<ul>
<li>tilt the head back to see better</li>
<li>say they have trouble seeing</li>
<li>run into things hanging from overhead</li>
<li>crawl or walk later than most children</li>
</ul>
<p>Children with ptosis often have other eye-related symptoms, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>eyes that don't line up</li>
<li>nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism</li>
<li>double, blurred, or distorted vision</li>
<li>eye strain, <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/headache.html/">headaches</a>, or dizziness</li>
</ul>
<h3>How Is Ptosis Diagnosed?</h3>
<p>Doctors may notice ptosis when a baby is born. Other times, parents take their child to a doctor after they notice the drooping eyelids.</p>
<p>The doctor will ask about the child's medical history and do an exam. Doctors usually recommend more testing by:</p>
<ul>
<li>an eye specialist (ophthalmologist). The ophthalmologist will check the child's vision, take special eye measurements, and look for any swelling that might be pushing the eyelid down.</li>
<li>a brain and nerve specialist (neurologist). The neurologist will test the blood, nerves, and muscles to check for other problems.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How Is Ptosis Treated?</h3>
<p>The treatment for ptosis depends on:</p>
<ul>
<li>what's causing it and how severe it is</li>
<li>the child's age, symptoms, and any other medical conditions</li>
</ul>
<p>Doctors often treat ptosis with surgery to tighten the muscles that lift the eyelid. They also might strengthen a weaker eye by using eye drops, patching (putting a patch over the unaffected eye so that the weaker eye has to take over), or special glasses. Occasionally, they'll use a ptosis crutch, which is an eyeglass-like frame that supports the eyelid.</p>
<h3>What Causes Ptosis?</h3>
<p>There are many different types of ptosis, each with a different cause. Ptosis can happen when a child:</p>
<ul>
<li>has problems with the brain or nerves (for example, 3rd nerve palsy or Horner syndrome)</li>
<li>has nerve problems that lead to muscle weakness (such as myasthenia gravis)</li>
<li>is born with weak or missing eyelid muscles (congenital ptosis)</li>
<li>has a birth defect or injury</li>
</ul>
<h3>How Can Parents Help?</h3>
<p>If your child has ptosis, you can help by:</p>
<ul class="kh_longline_list">
<li>Going to all follow-up doctor visits. They're important to help prevent vision loss.</li>
<li>Giving medicine as prescribed. If you have trouble giving the medicine on schedule, let the doctor or nurse know.</li>
<li>Watching for head-tilting. Tell the doctor if your child is head-tilting, which may be a sign that the eyelid is drooping.</li>
</ul>Ptosis palpebralLa ptosis es la caída del párpado superior. Muchas cosas pueden causarlo.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/es/parents/ptosis-esp.html/cd86c628-dc8e-49d3-b577-dd6bd45d5e60AmblyopiaAmblyopia interferes with the way the eye and the brain work together. The result is poor vision. Treatment may involve glasses, patches, eye drops, or surgery.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/amblyopia.html/486d90aa-3652-4c89-9e4d-110539ca3269Retinopathy of PrematurityRetinopathy of prematurity, which can happen in premature babies, causes abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. Some children will need surgery to prevent vision loss or blindness.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/rop.html/e9f2aa26-e142-45b0-8ac8-3761ca8e8859StrabismusStrabismus causes eyes to wander or cross. Treatment may include glasses, patches, eye drops, or surgery.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/strabismus.html/cbbbdb38-b30e-4efd-99fe-65598c1acdbfVisual Impairments Factsheet (for Schools)What teachers should know about visual impairments, and how to help students with vision problems succeed in school.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/vision-factsheet.html/b31ec62b-ac15-4b92-b7d9-514961504a64Your Child's VisionIt's important for kids to have their eyes examined regularly, as many vision problems and eye diseases can be detected and treated early.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/vision.html/892d3a4f-f816-4903-a587-3514f79f4d68kh:age-allAgesOrAgeAgnostickh:clinicalDesignation-ophthalmologykh:genre-articlekh:primaryClinicalDesignation-ophthalmologyEye Conditions & Problemshttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/medical/eyes/48b60d4f-9a7c-4f2e-88c0-b97abca67cf0