OBJECTIVE: To compare the ice test with the rest test in subjects with myasthenic and nonmyasthenic ptosis. DESIGN: Randomized, noninterventional trial. PARTICIPANTS: (1) Ten subjects with ptosis from previously undiagnosed myasthenia gravis. (2) Fifteen subjects with nonmyasthenic ptosis. METHODS: Application of ice compared with rest. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Improvement in eyelid elevation in millimeters after the application of a surgical glove filled with ice or cotton. RESULTS: In myasthenic subjects, the median improvement of ptosis with the rest test was 2 mm and with the ice test was 4.5 mm. The difference between the rest and ice tests is significant (P: < 0.001). There was no improvement in ptosis in nonmyasthenic subjects with either test. CONCLUSION: In myasthenic ptosis, improvement in eyelid elevation after the ice test is in part caused by rest. The ice test significantly improves ptosis more than rest alone does.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To compare the ice test with the rest test in subjects with myasthenic and nonmyasthenic ptosis. DESIGN: Randomized, noninterventional trial. PARTICIPANTS: (1) Ten subjects with ptosis from previously undiagnosed myasthenia gravis. (2) Fifteen subjects with nonmyasthenic ptosis. METHODS: Application of ice compared with rest. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Improvement in eyelid elevation in millimeters after the application of a surgical glove filled with ice or cotton. RESULTS: In myasthenic subjects, the median improvement of ptosis with the rest test was 2 mm and with the ice test was 4.5 mm. The difference between the rest and ice tests is significant (P: < 0.001). There was no improvement in ptosis in nonmyasthenic subjects with either test. CONCLUSION: In myasthenic ptosis, improvement in eyelid elevation after the ice test is in part caused by rest. The ice test significantly improves ptosis more than rest alone does.