Definition of Ptosis of the eyelids, adult
Ptosis of the eyelids, adult: Drooping of the
upper eyelids in adults, most
commonly due to separation of the tendon of the lid-lifting
(levator) muscle
from the eyelid. This may occur with age, after cataract or
other eye
surgery,
an injury, eye tumor or a complication of other diseases
involving the
levator
muscle or its nerve supply, such as diabetes. If treatment
is necessary, it
is
usually surgical. Sometimes a small tuck in the lifting
muscle and eyelid
can
raise the lid sufficiently. More severe ptosis requires
reattachment and
strengthening of the levator muscle.
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