Visual field loss in primary gaze and reading gaze due to acquired blepharoptosis and visual field improvement following ptosis surgery.

Acquired blepharoptosis has been associated with loss of the superior visual field (SVF) in primary gaze. Because many patients with acquired blepharoptosis complained of difficulty reading or performing other visual functions in reading gaze, a prospective study was undertaken to determine if acquired blepharoptosis was the cause of these visual dysfunctions. Preoperative and postoperative SVFs were tested in primary gaze and reading gaze in 19 patients with unilateral or bilateral acquired blepharoptosis totaling 30 eyes. Preoperative testing revealed a marked loss of the SVF in both primary gaze and reading gaze. All patients underwent levator aponeurosis defect repair. Postoperative results showed a significant improvement in both primary and reading gaze SVFs. Therefore, patients with good visual acuity complaining of difficulty reading or carrying out other visual functions in reading gaze should be examined for the presence of acquired blepharoptosis. Blepharoptosis repair can be expected to improve the SVF in both primary gaze and reading gaze.