BLEPHAROPTOSIS AS A FEATURE OF A PRIMARY MUSCLE DISORDER

Abstract

Background: Blepharoptosis (ptosis) is classified, based on etiology, into mechanical, neurogenic, neuromuscular, myogenic and due to diverse causes. Many patients with myogenic ptosis had undergone a battery of medical tests before a primary muscle disorder is considered. The aim of this study is to highlight frequent diagnostic errors and difficulties in patients with myopathies whose first symptom is blepharoptosis.
Case Reports: We report four patients with confirmed myopathic disorders whose presenting symptom was ptosis.
Conclusion: A rare but existing cause of blepharoptosis is an underlying muscle disorder. Lack of either fatigability or response to treatment to cholinesterase inhibitors, the association of proximal, distal or extraocular muscle weakness and a positive family history or evidence of a multisystemic disorder should give rise to a suspicion of myopathic disorder.