The primary symptom is a drooping of the upper eyelid. If left untreated, amblyopia, or lazy eye, may develop. Ptosis may also hide a misalignment or crossing of the eyes. If not treated early in childhood, the resulting amblyopia may persist throughout the child's life. The treatment for congenital ptosis is surgery, in which the levator muscles are tightened.
Adult ptosis is a separation of the levator muscle tendon from the eyelid.
This may be a result of aging, eye surgery, or injury. Treatment is a surgical procedure. An Eye M.D. can assess the ptosis and determine the best course of treatment. Its symptoms include irritation, itching, redness, and inflammation. This may begin in childhood, and may be a chronic condition.