Droopy Eyelids
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Droopy Eyelids
What are Droopy Eyelids?
Droopy eyelids, medically known as ptosis, is a condition in which the upper eyelid droops. It can affect one or both eyelids. The eyelids may sag a little or cover just the pupil or completely cover the eye, blocking your vision. In some cases, a droopy eyelid/ptosis can be present after birth or may appear later in life due to disease or injury.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Droopy Eyelids?
The main symptom of droopy eyes is that the eyelid may cover the upper eye or the entire pupil and occur in one or both eyes.
The other symptoms that you might notice due to droopy eyes are:
- Blocked upper field of vision
- Blocked complete vision as the eyelid covers the pupil of the eye
- Pain and tired look around the eye
- Tilting the head back (chin-up position) to see properly (in children)
- Watery eyes
- Raised eyebrow in order to lift the lid
- Headache, eye strain, or dizziness
- Far-sightedness, near-sightedness, or astigmatism (a lens or an eye defect)
What are the Causes of Droopy Eyelids?
Droopy eyelids can occur due to:
- Damage to the nerves or muscles that control the eyelid
- Skin looseness of the upper eyelid
- Weakness in eyelid muscles
- Aging process
- Tumour behind or around the eye
- Myasthenia gravis: a disease-causing abnormal and excessive muscle weakness
- Horner’s syndrome: damaged nerve on the side of the neck causing a droopy eyelid
- Diabetes
- Eyelid swelling such as stye: inflamed swelling on the edge of the eyelid
- Stroke
What are the Risk Factors of Droopy Eyelids?
Risk factors of droopy eyelids include:
- Aging
- Injury
- Disease or illness (myasthenia gravis, stroke, Horner’s syndrome)
How are Droopy Eyelids Diagnosed?
Your ophthalmologist will:
- Review all the symptoms
- Ask about your medical history
- Ask about your family history for droopy eyelids or other muscular disorders
- Conduct a complete examination of your eye
- Prescribe imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan and blood tests
- Other tests will be done, such as tensilon test for myasthenia gravis, slit-lamp examination (your doctor uses a microscope that has a bright light to get a complete and closer look at your eye), and visual field testing (measure how far away you can see in any direction without moving)
How are Droopy Eyelids Treated?
Your ophthalmologist will suggest you treatment of droopy eyes depending on the cause and the severity of ptosis. Depending on the cause and the severity your doctor may:
- Suggest ptosis surgery (blepharoplasty) to repair the droopy eyelid. In this surgery, your doctor will inject local anaesthesia and make a cut in the eyelid to find the muscles that lift the eyelid. They tighten the muscle by stitching it and further, seal the cut with additional stitches.
- Use a patch over the unaffected eye. The use of a patch over the stronger eye strengthens the weaker eye.
- Put on some eye drops or special glasses. In some cases, they would give you an eyeglass-like frame (ptosis crutch) to support your eyelid.
What May Happen if Droopy Eyelids are Not Treated in Time?
If not treated in time, the droopy eyelid can lead to:
- Amblyopia
- Loss of vision
- Abnormal head position may cause neck and head deformity
When to See a Doctor?
You must consult your ophthalmologist if:
- One eyelid suddenly shuts or droops
- Ptosis affects your vision or appearance
- Ptosis is linked with pain or double vision
Updated on : 7 July 2022
Reviewer
Dr. Aman Priya Khanna
MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES
12 Years Experience
Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More
Author
Rajath R Prabhu
MSc. Clinical Research I PG Diploma in Public Health Services Management
3 Years Experience
His work in medical content writing and proofreading is noteworthy. He has also contributed immensely to public health research and has authored four scientific manuscripts in international journals. He was assoc...View More
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