Abstract

Introduction: Ptosis is a fall of the upper eyelid caused by a defect in the levator. The aim of the study was to describe epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic features of ptosis in Bukavu. Methodology: This is a prospective study conducted on 77 patients admitted for ptosis in ophthalmology departments of the Panzi Hospital and the CBM-CELPA Ophthalmological Clinic in Bukavu (Democratic Republic of the Congo) during a period of 3 years, from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021. Results: The median age at management was 14 years, with a male predominance (57.1%). This was congenital ptosis in 77.9%, and acquired ptosis in 22.1%. Ptosis was major in 24.1%, and moderate in 61.0% of cases. Amblyopia was present in 63.6% of the cases. Resection of the levator muscle of the upper eyelid was the most common surgical technique (56.4%), followed by suspension of the upper eyelid from the frontal muscle (43.6%). Functional and aesthetic results were satisfactory in 17 eyes (30.9%). Among the postoperative complications, we noted the suture thread release (16.4%) and the inflammatory granuloma (12.7%). Conclusion: Ptosis is a pathology encountered in Bukavu. It is unilateral in the majority of cases. Congenital ptosis is the most common form. Surgical treatment gives good results in our context.

Keywords

ptosis, amblyopia, upper eyelid levator resection, upper eyelid suspension to the frontal muscle, Bukavu