Eyelid drop Problem

[gurpreet2002us]

My father suffered with brain stroke  7 yrs before. during the treatment after 1.5 yrs of brain stroke they suffered with eyelid drop problem. i consult many doctors some of them saying its myasthenia Gravis & some gives another reason for it.
pls help us

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. The various causes of dropped eye lid or ptosis may be myogenic, neurogenic , mechanical, aponeurotic or traumatic. Usually ptosis occurs isolated or with various conditions, like immunological, degenerative, hereditary disorders or tumors or infections. These patients may also have tiredness, blurred vision and increased tearing. They may even need to tilt their head back into a chin up position, lift the eyelid with a finger or and raise their eye brows. Continuous activation of the forehead and scalp muscles may additionally cause tension headache and eyestrain.
If myasthenia gravis is suspected, the doctor would do an ectylcholine receptor antibodies test and an edrophonium chloride test. CSF analysis for multiple sclerosis and oligoclonal bands, ekg, electroretinogram and electromyography for external ophthalmoplegia. If suspected thyroid abnormalities, tyroid hormones need to be assessed. Other imaging studies may support diagnosis.
This should help the neurologist to come to a diagnosis and treat likewise. Hope this helps. Take care.

[LivingInHope]

Do others suggest TIA, stroke or Bell's palsy as the cause?  Have there been any tests on which some of the doctors are basing their myasthenia gravis diagnosis on?  From what I can see, myasthenia gravis is a problem with the immune system producing anti-bodies that attack one's own body, but with your father's history of stroke, I wonder if he couldn't have suffered a kind of mini-stroke?  Please see private message for more info on what tests they can do to try and confirm a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis and on treatment for it and also info on Bell's palsy.  Is your father taking any medication to try to prevent further strokes?