ABSTRACT
Drooping of the eyelids is common in the elderly, and results from dehiscence of the
levator aponeurosis. Otherwise, it usually results from weakness of the levator
palpebrae superioris muscle. This is innervated by the oculomotor (IIIrd) nerve. The
under-surface of the levator muscles is connected to the tarsus by smooth muscle
fibres, Müller’s muscle, which is innervated by cervical sympathetic nerves. Ptosis
results from damage to these nerves or to disorders of muscle or neuromuscular
junction.
