In the case of acquired ptosis, a doctor may recommend treating the underlying problem before trying to treat the ptosis itself. Treatment isn’t always required for ptosis, especially when eyelid drooping is mild and doesn’t impact a child’s vision. SEE RELATED: Types of ptosis Ptosis surgery for children Myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness)Ī condition involving the muscular system In the case of acquired ptosis, an underlying disease or condition is at fault. Sometimes, ptosis occurs during the prenatal development process or as a complication of the delivery process. Only about 12% of children with the condition had a family history of ptosis, according to the NIH survey. The congenital form of childhood ptosis can be inherited, but genetics are an unlikely cause. This prevents light from focusing properly on the retina inside the eye, leading to blurry vision. Astigmatism, a common defect in the shape of the eye’s cornea or lens, can also develop. When ptosis symptoms are severe enough to impair a child’s vision, it can lead to other complications down the line.Īmblyopia (lazy eye), and possibly vision loss as a result, can develop when ptosis is severe. These will hinder the levator or other muscle in the eyelids, causing them to droop. It found that only 4% of childhood ptosis patients experienced drooping eyelids on both sides, while 96% of cases were one-sided.Īcquired - Ptosis that occurs as the result of an underlying condition or previous injury. Nearly 90% of all childhood cases are congenital ptosis, meaning they are present from birth or shortly after, according to the NIH study referenced earlier. Ptosis in children occurs in one of two ways:Ĭongenital - Ptosis that has been present since birth and diagnosed before an infant turns one year old. It only occurs in about 8 out of every 100,000 people aged 18 or under, according to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study conducted over a 40-year time span. Ptosis during childhood and adolescence is rare.

Weakness can be the result of a benign birth defect, a structural problem with the muscles or tendons, or a neurological issue. When the muscle is weakened, the upper eyelid has a hard time staying open all the way. Ptosis can usually be attributed to weakness in a muscle that controls the upper eyelid called the levator palpebrae superioris. When a child has a “droopy” eye on either one or both sides, it can be caused by a condition called ptosis.

Droppy eye lid