[Chronic Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia Ptosis: Problems with Diagnostics and Treatment]

Ptosis is often the first symptom of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO), a rare muscle disorder. As the disease progresses, it can lead to ocular motility defects. Ptosis is present in the early stages of the disease and can be corrected by levator surgery. Due to the rarity of CPEO (< 1% of ptosis patients), further diagnostic steps with muscle biopsy and genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA are usually not considered in the early phase. Intraoperative abnormal observations during ptosis surgery and postoperative motility problems are signs of CPEO. If CPEO is confirmed, alternative surgical methods can correct the ptosis, like frontalis suspension.