title: Combination ptosis crutch and moisture chamber for management of progressive external ophthalmoplegia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A 46-year-old woman with a long-standing history of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia manifested a primary visual symptom of bilateral ptosis. Previous lid surgery was unsuccessful because of severe sight-threatening exposure keratitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient's problem was managed by fabricating a spectacle-mounted combination ptosis crutch and moisture chamber. The custom device successfully provided both cosmetic and visual relief for the patient while maintaining corneal integrity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case demonstrates the effectiveness of a dual-purpose appliance that offers a cosmetically viable alternative to ptosis patients who are high-risk surgical candidates because of potential corneal dehydration.
authors.affiliation: State University of New York, State College of Optometry, New York, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Waiss
mesh_terms: D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008875:Middle Aged; D017246:Ophthalmoplegia, Chronic Progressive External / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009907:Optometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015348:Vision, Binocular; D014792:Visual Acuity