Presentations and causes of blepharoptosis in Yazd, Iran

BACKGROUND: Drooping of the upper eyelid (blepharoptosis or ptosis) is not an uncommon ocular problem. The causes of ptosis could be myogenic, aponeurotic, mechanical or traumatic. Detailed assessments of the cause, degree of ptosis and levator functions help determine the most appropriate management and treatment. This study was carried out to investigate the causes and presentations of ptosis in patients in Yazd, Iran. METHODS: Data from ptotic patients referred to the Eye Clinic of Shahid Rahnemoon Hospital were collected by questionnaires from September 2004 to September 2005 in a case series study. RESULTS: In total, 90 patients (42 males, 48 females) were included in the study. The most frequent types of ptosis were myogenic in 37 cases (41.1%), aponeurotic in 32 (35.6%), neurogenic in 12 (13.3%) and mechanical in 9 (10%), in the order mentioned . Of a total of 90 cases, 50 (55.6%) were congenital and 40 (44.4%) were acquired . Overall, only one side was involved in 65 cases (72.2%), while 25 (27.8%) cases had bilateral involvement. The most frequent type of ptosis was aponeurot ic in men (19 patients or 45.2%) and myogenic in women (22 patient s or 45.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical aspects of ptosis were related to etiology. Our study showed that the most frequent type of ptosis was congenital myogenic type and its frequency was equal in both sexes.