Pseudoptosis

Synonyms

Functional ptosis; Nonorganic ptosis

Definition

Pseudoptosis is apparent but not true drooping of the eyelid (see ptosis). Pseudoptosis is typically unrelated to neurological or musculoskeletal defects of the eyelid.

Etiology

Pseudoptosis may be the result of abnormal size of the eye such as the absence of eye development (anophthalmos); a shrunken, non-functional eye (e.g., phthisis bulbi); a small eye (microphthalmos); and posterior placement of the eyeball (enophthalmos), which all present as apparent ptosis without defect to the eyelid mechanisms themselves. Abnormal growth or placement of eyelid tissue such as excessive loose skin of the eyelid (dermatochalasis), contralateral retraction of the eyelid, or prolapse of orbital fat (blepharochalasis) might also result in the pseudoptosis. Bulging of one eye (proptosis) or lid retraction due to thyroid eye disease may result in the diagnosis of possible ptosis in the contralateral eye when in reality it is pseudoptosis....