The prevalence of ptosis in an Iranian adult population.

PURPOSE: To determine upper eyelid ptosis prevalence and some related factors in 44- to 69-year-olds of Shahroud in the north of Iran.

METHODS

In 2009, using multi-stage cluster sampling, 300 clusters of 40-64-year-olds were selected in Shahroud city, and all 5190 participants were invited to be re-examined in 5 years (2014). The current report is the second phase of the study in which 4737 (91.3%) people participated and underwent vision tests, slit lamp examination, biometry, and ophthalmoscopy in 2014. Upper eyelid ptosis was determined by an ophthalmologist.

RESULTS

The prevalence of upper eyelid ptosis was 4.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1-5.4]; 5.2% in women and in 4.0% in men. The prevalence of bilateral and unilateral ptosis was 1.3% (95% CI: 1.0-1.7) and 3.4% (95% CI: 2.8-4.0), respectively. The observed prevalence of ptosis was 3.1% in the 45- to 49-year age group and 5.8% in 65- to 69-year-olds. The prevalence of ptosis increased with age. In the multiple logistic regression model, ptosis prevalence correlated with older age, diabetes (odds ratio = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.16-2.02) and hypertension (odds ratio = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.03-2.92). Mean corneal astigmatism was 1.02 (95%C]: 0.87-1.18) diopter in ptotic eyes and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.84-0.89) diopter in non-ptotic eyes (p = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

The present report provides valuable information on the prevalence of ptosis in a population of 45-to 69-year-olds. The prevalence of ptosis in this study was considerably high and significantly increased with age.