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.
