Refractive error characteristics and influence on ocular parameters in patients with unilateral congenital ptosis

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to investigate the difference in refractive status and ocular parameters between ptotic and fellow eyes in patients with unilateral congenital ptosis. METHODS: Thirty patients (53% males, age 22.00 ± 11.41 years) with unilateral congenital ptosis diagnosed and treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun-yat Sen University were enrolled and underwent detailed refractive examinations from March 2019 to February 2022. Ocular biometric measurements were performed by an IOL Master 700 biometer. The differences in refractive error characteristics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and ocular parameters including axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), aqueous depth (AQD), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and keratometry values between ptotic and fellow eyes were analysed. RESULTS: A lower BCVA (logMAR, median (IQR), 0.00 (− 0.13,0.00), P = 0.009) and a higher incidence of amblyopia (n (%), 7(23%), P = 0.016) were observed in ptotic eyes. The CCT of ptotic eyes was greater than that of fellow eyes (mean ± SD, 539.83 ± 26.73 μm, P < 0.001). The keratometry values at the flat axis (K1) and mean corneal power (Km) were smaller in ptotic eyes (mean ± SD, 42.11 ± 1.49 D, 42.68 ± 1.52 D, respectively, both P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in AL between ptotic and fellow eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital ptosis influences ocular parameters, mainly causing a thicker and flatter cornea. Patients with unilateral congenital ptosis might have lower BCVA in the ptotic eyes. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-022-02511-x.