Yonca Ozkan Arat1, Bülent Yazici, Pelin Hekimhan-Kaynak, Imtiaz A Chaudhry, Edward J Wladis. 1. *Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey; †Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.; ‡Department of Ophthalmology, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey; §Beyoglu Eye Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; ‖Houston Oculoplastics, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.; and ¶Department of Ophthalmology, Albany Medical College, New York, New York, U.S.A.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe 5 patients with transient, acute, unilateral blepharoptosis of unknown etiology. METHODS: Medical records of 5 patients, which were seen in 5 different clinics between 1998 and 2011, were reviewed. RESULTS: The ages of the patients were 7, 7, 32, 44, and 75 years (2 women and 3 men). Four patients had partial (1.5-3.5 mm) and 1 patient had total ptosis. Levator function was normal in 2 patients, and 3 patients had only 2 to 3 mm decreased levator function on the affected side. None of the patients had limited motility or any pupil abnormalities. All patients had a history of flu-like illness preceding the development of blepharoptosis. The ptosis completely resolved in 3 to 14 days in all patients and did not recur during the follow-up period (range: 2 months-7 years). CONCLUSIONS: Transient, acute, unilateral blepharoptosis is a very rare condition. Patients presenting with acute ptosis should be questioned about a recent history of flu-like syndrome, and if workup is negative with this history, the clinicians should suspect this rare condition.
PURPOSE: To describe 5 patients with transient, acute, unilateral blepharoptosis of unknown etiology. METHODS: Medical records of 5 patients, which were seen in 5 different clinics between 1998 and 2011, were reviewed. RESULTS: The ages of the patients were 7, 7, 32, 44, and 75 years (2 women and 3 men). Four patients had partial (1.5-3.5 mm) and 1 patient had total ptosis. Levator function was normal in 2 patients, and 3 patients had only 2 to 3 mm decreased levator function on the affected side. None of the patients had limited motility or any pupil abnormalities. All patients had a history of flu-like illness preceding the development of blepharoptosis. The ptosis completely resolved in 3 to 14 days in all patients and did not recur during the follow-up period (range: 2 months-7 years). CONCLUSIONS: Transient, acute, unilateral blepharoptosis is a very rare condition. Patients presenting with acute ptosis should be questioned about a recent history of flu-like syndrome, and if workup is negative with this history, the clinicians should suspect this rare condition.