Blepharoptosis and Cholesterol-Lowering Medications: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Involutional blepharoptosis is common in patients with cardiovascular disease and hyperlipidemia.
• These patients often use cholesterol-lowering medications.
• The potential association between anticholesterol therapies and ptosis is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and frequency of blepharoptosis in patients using anticholesterol therapies.
• To investigate the association between anticholesterol medication use and the development of ptosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of adult patients with blepharoptosis using anticholesterol medications.
• Analysis of patient-reported muscle weakness and laboratory markers (creatine kinase, myoglobin).

Main Results:

• 293 adult patients with ptosis on anticholesterol therapy were identified.
• 16.0% reported muscle weakness; 4.4% had laboratory-confirmed anticholesterol therapy-induced myopathy.
• Discontinuation or change in medication led to improvement in ptosis or systemic symptoms for all affected patients.

Conclusions:

• A probable association exists between anticholesterol-induced myopathy and blepharoptosis.
• The incidence of myopathy in adult ptosis patients using these drugs is higher than previously thought (4.4%).
• Anticholesterol-induced myositis can cause reversible ptosis, necessitating evaluation of medication history in affected patients.