Ptosis - what is it? Types of ptosis

Ptosis - what is it? What ailment has such a sonorous name? The name of the disease came from the Greek language: ptosis, which means "falling." This term is most often used by ophthalmologists when it comes to lowering the upper eyelid below the iris by more than 2 mm. Ptosis can affect both adults and children. A person can be born with this defect or acquire it during life.

There are also gravitational ptosis, it covers the entire face, and some people, especially women, perceive it as a serious problem.

Manifestations of ptosis and its signs

Symptoms of the disease depend on its origin and causes, but the most striking manifestations of the symptom are the low position of the eyelids on one or both eyes, and also because of the inability of the century to move the inability of a person to cover up the eye completely. Consequently, the eyeball is not moistened, hence - redness and pain, sensation in the eyes of the sand. Sometimes there is a disturbance of vision, its decrease, the image begins to bifurcate. It happens that the disease is accompanied by strabismus, deviation of vision to the side, inflammation. The patient, trying to open his eyes, throws back his head to lift the eyelid or lifts his eyebrows, using the muscles of his forehead, which causes wrinkles on him. In Horner's syndrome, along with the lowering of the eyelid, there is enophthalmus (sagging of the eyeball) and miosis (the pupil narrows).

Types of ptosis

A person can be born with this disease - such a ptosis is called congenital. And if he appears during life, then this is an acquired illness.

The degree of expression is also different: if the eyelid completely closes the eye, then this is a complete ptosis. In the case of the cover of the century, more than half is incomplete. And partial, when the eyelid descends, covering the eyeball for a third.

The degree of eye damage differs: one-sided ptosis, if only one eye is affected. And bilateral, when both eyes are covered by the disease.

Congenital ptosis

The disease can be manifested due to genetic factors inherent in genetic factors or the pathology of embryo development, in which there is a degeneration of the muscle lifting the eyelid, or aplasia of the nucleus of the oculomotor nerve. In some cases, the normal function is retained completely or partially. This defect is most common in congenital changes. They can affect one eye, more rarely both.

Ptosis is determined almost from the very birth of the child, especially with its vivid manifestations. If the changes are insignificant, then it is diagnosed after a few months.

Acquired ptosis

The appearance of ptosis in a person at an older age is due to a number of reasons and it is divided according to the types of lesions:

1. Aponeurotic occurs due to the stretching and weakening of the aponeurosis of the muscle responsible for raising the eyelid. The reason can be the natural aging processes of the body, as well as trauma, severe swelling, the consequences of operations.
2. Neurogenic can occur due to disorders in the nervous system due to its diseases and injuries. Most often there is paralysis of the oculomotor nerve as a consequence of diabetes mellitus, tumors, intracranial aneurysms.
3. Mechanical ptosis of the century - this is the consequences of deformation of the century due to scars, tears, foreign bodies.
4. Apparent, when an excess fold is formed on the century.
5. Anophthalmic: in the absence of the eyeball, the eyelid drops, because it does not find support.

Diagnosis of ptosis

When diagnosing and choosing treatment it is important to establish the etiology of the onset of the disease, its origin and appearance. Because it is congenital or acquired, the methods of treatment also depend. To do this, a patient is interviewed and it turns out that there was a similar ailment among his next of kin in order to exclude his genetic origin.

The doctor carefully examines the patient and reveals the strength of the muscle, the mobility of the eyebrows and eyelids, its position relative to the pupil, the presence of astigmatism, the size of the skin fold, determines the level of vision of the patient, his intraocular pressure.

Checks amblyopia, especially important to determine its level in children. After the diagnosis of "ptosis of the century" is diagnosed, treatment is appointed immediately.

Consequences of ptosis

Ptosis of the century - a problem that is not only cosmetic. He is dangerous because of the possible consequences arising from the impossibility of the century to move freely. Inflammation of the eyeball is possible, strabismus develops, vision deteriorates. Children, trying to cover their eyes, often do this with their hands, which carries the risk of infection.

So if the disease has manifested itself, a timely trip to the doctor and treatment will correct the situation.

Treatment of ptosis

It should be understood: if the diagnosis is "ptosis", what is this disease, in which treatment is appointed depending on its type and origin. In the case of its appearance in the older age, a complex approach is necessary, and if necessary, a neuropathologist is involved.

The disease itself is cured quite rarely, so it is important to begin to eliminate it as early as possible, and as a rule, surgery is recommended: ptosis is eliminated with the help of a surgical correction of the eyelid.

For the most part, it is based on pulling up or strengthening the muscle of the eyelid that lifts it. Perform the operation of ophthalmic surgeons, combining with blepharoplasty. Usually, local anesthesia is used in adults and general anesthesia in children. The duration of the procedure varies from 30 minutes to an hour, but sometimes it can last for 2 hours. It depends on the complexity of the problem, the level of omission of the century.

The operation is available at any age, therefore, in case of congenital pathology it is recommended that children do it as soon as possible. But up to 3 years it is contraindicated, since at that time a section of eyes is being established , and the eyelids are in the stage of formation. In order to prevent strabismus and amblyopia as a temporary measure, it is recommended to stick the eyelid through the day with a band-aid until the operation is performed.

Ptosis of the upper eyelid often leaves no visible consequences, if everything was done qualitatively, and a highly skilled surgeon.

Carrying out the correction of the eyelid, one should know about the possible consequences and postoperative complications. For several days after the operation, the pain of the eyelids and their loss of mobility, pain in the eyes, their dryness and the inability to close eyelids are possible. After a few days, these symptoms will go away. But sometimes asymmetry of eyelids, their inflammation and bleeding wounds can appear.

Facial ptosis - what is it?

With age, the quality of collagen fibers changes, their number decreases, the muscles supporting the oval of the face are weakened, as a result of which its contours fall down under the influence of the earth's gravity, as if they are swimming. Such changes are called gravitational ptosis.

First, nasolabial folds deepen , the corners of the mouth, eyebrows lower. Over time, even the nose and ears drop, the lower part of the face becomes heavier and saggers. A second chin appears, creases appear on the neck. In this case, the diagnosis is "ptosis of the face".

Treatment of gravitational ptosis

Of course, no one has yet managed to avoid old age, but to reduce its manifestations is entirely in human power. In order to avoid the diagnosis of "ptosis of the face," a woman needs from 35 years, and sometimes even earlier, only at the first signs of changes, to take measures that can combat aging. It is necessary to direct all forces on increase and preservation of a tonus of muscles of the face.

Cosmetic science has in its arsenal of many tools that help strengthen facial muscles and rejuvenate the skin. This and physiotherapy procedures, which include a conventional massage and fibrovascular, electrotherapy, ultrasound.

An additional tool is the course application of peeling procedures.

With facial ptosis, the activation of the upper layers of the skin is not enough: it is necessary to influence the deeper structures of the musculo-aponeurotic system that holds the facial framework. In this case, the gymnastics is effective, containing a complex of exercises, affecting precisely this sphere.

If all possible means are tried, but the desired effect has not been achieved, and the person's ptosis does not recede, then botulinotherapy can be tried: it is aimed at distributing muscle traction towards the upper part of the face.

In excess of the skin flap, also injections of hyaluronic acid, hydroxyapatite of potassium are introduced: they are introduced along the contour of the face, they significantly increase the elasticity and turgor of the skin.

Contour plastic, photothermolysis, photorejuvenation are used in the treatment of gravitational ptosis. But these procedures are not always effective, so in the fight against this defect the most effective way is prevention.

Having become acquainted with such phenomenon as ptosis (what is it and its possible consequences), it is necessary to remember always about timely treatment and prevention of diseases, then possible future troubles can be avoided.