Epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic features of ptosis in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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.