Child Involuntarily Looks Up

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Question:
My 7-year-old son has been involuntarily looking up toward his eyebrows. I asked him why and he said his eyelids are tired. It's happening almost constantly now. What is this?

Answer:
It is difficult to say with certainty what is happening here. However, without question, I'd recommend an evaluation by a pediatric ophthalmologist. This may be a benign process, but the act of looking upwards will also raise the upper eyelids. I am concerned that your son is compensating for the drooping of his upper lids (ptosis) by looking upwards. There are several concerning conditions that can cause ptosis in a 7-year-old, so please bring him in for an evaluation with an Eye M.D. as soon as possible.

Answered by: James H. Heltzer, MD

Categories: Children's Eye Health

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