Patient: R.H.

Age: 62

Gender: Female

The patient self-referred (rather than being referred by a physician) due to two month history of disequilibrium, veering when walking, general lightheadness, and bilateral aural fullness.  She has problems with depth perception and ambulating in dark environments.  She denies vertigo.

The patient has ptosis left, which she and her optometrist believe is related to contact lens problems.  However, she has been using the same type of contact lenses for 20 years. She was seen for sinusitis by an internist who recommended a visit to a neurologist  for the ptosis, indicating possibility of a stroke.  The ptosis began several years ago.

• What is ptosis, and what does it indicate?

The patient has not had recent MRI.

She does not complain of hearing problems.

She has visual aura, which her optometrist believes is opthalmic migraine.

Case credit: Case donated by Sam Bittel, AuD, Associated Audiologists, Overland Park, Kansas