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Pediatric Ptosis FAQs

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Ptosis

Ptosis is the medical term for a drooping or droopy upper eyelid. It comes from the Greek word ptosis, meaning “to fall.”

Yes. If a child’s ptosis, or droopy or drooping upper eyelid, is severe enough, then it can interfere with the normal development of vision and lead to amblyopia, which is the leading cause of vision loss among children and young adults.

It depends on the type of vision screening. If the vision screening is being performed only with an eye chart, the screener may or may not notice that a child displays symptoms of ptosis. If a child is being screened with a pediatric vision screening device like the iScreen Vision Screener 3000 photoscreener, which captures digital images of a child’s eyes, ptosis is more likely to be detected, depending on the severity. Vision screening which detects ptosis may be called ptosis vision screening, ptosis vision testing, pediatric ptosis vision screening, or pediatric ptosis vision testing.

Yes. Ptosis can lead to other vision problems, including astigmatism, or an irregularly shaped cornea, or amblyopia, also commonly called lazy eye. It is important when you take a child to the doctor for a routine well-child visit that the doctor screen or test his or her vision to detect vision abnormalities such as ptosis or vision abnormalities that develop as a result of ptosis.

Yes. If ptosis is detected through a vision screening with a photoscreener such as iScreen Vision or another vision screening method, then children should visit a pediatric ophthalmologist for a full evaluation so that appropriate treatment can begin. If the ptosis is causing astigmatism or amblyopia, then your ophthalmologist may prescribe glasses or have the child wear a patch to strengthen their weak eye. Surgery may be required if a droopy eyelid is blocking a child’s vision. A child’s eyelid can be elevated through various methods, such as contraction of the frontalis muscle in the forehead.

Ptosis can be caused, among other things, by various neurological conditions that affect the nerves or muscles of the eye, including Horner syndrome or third nerve paralysis, or by an eyelid mass.

Pediatric Ptosis Vision Screening & Detection FAQs
These FAQs discuss topics including: Ptosis, Ptosis Vision Screening, Ptosis Vision Testing, Pediatric Ptosis Vision Screening, and Pediatric Ptosis Vision Testing.

Pediatric Ptosis Vision Screening & Detection FAQs
These FAQs discuss topics including: Ptosis, Ptosis Vision Screening, Ptosis Vision Testing, Pediatric Ptosis Vision Screening, and Pediatric Ptosis Vision Testing.