When you look in the mirror, do you see your eyes sleepy-looking? Your upper eyelids may appear to sag a little and cover your pupil. This can be ptosis, simply called as drooping. It can also block your vision.
As per a study published by the National Institute of Health, droopy eyelids can be congenital or a result of direct or indirect trauma to the eye. Stating other reasons, the study also mentioned that droopy eyelids can also be caused due ageing or neurogenic factors.
To understand this condition and its causes in detail, OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Nikhil Rishikeshi, MBBS DOMS FPOS, Consultant Ophthalmologist in Pediatric Department, Kothrud, Pune.
Signs And Symptoms
Talking about the signs of droopy eyes, Dr Rishikeshi said, “One or both eyelids droop. It isn’t painful, but it can block your sight. You may have to tip your head back and lift your chin to see better. Or you might have to arch your eyebrows to lift your lids. Over time, these moves may affect your head and neck.”
If your child has it, they could also develop amblyopia, or "lazy eye". “That's poor sight in an eye that didn't develop normally during childhood. This might happen if the lid droops so much it blocks vision or makes things look blurry. Treat it early in childhood so it doesn't cause long-term vision loss,” advised Dr Rishikeshi.
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Causes Of Droopy Eyelids
There are several factors that can lead to this condition. Sometimes, babies are born with it. You can get it as an adult as well due to the damage of nerves that control your eyelid muscles. It might follow an injury or disease that weakens the muscles and ligaments that raise your eyelids.
Ageing is another factor that leads to drooping of the eyelids due to weakened muscles and skin around the eyes. Furthermore, Dr Rishikeshi said, “Surgeries like LASIK or cataract surgery can stretch your eyelid. An eye tumour can cause ptosis, too.”
Diseases or illnesses that may lead to eyelid drooping include:
- Tumour around or behind the eye
- Diabetes
- Horner syndrome
- Myasthenia gravis
- Stroke
- Swelling in the eyelid, such as with a stye
Exams and Tests
When asked about how this condition is examined, Dr Rishikeshi said, “When drooping is on one side only, it is easy to detect by comparing the two eyelids. Drooping is more difficult to detect when it occurs on both sides, or if there is only a slight problem. Comparing the current extent of drooping with the amount shown in old photos may help you detect the progression of the problem.”
How Is It Treated?
Treatment of drooping eyelids varies depending on the severity of the condition. Dr Rishikeshi said, “If it doesn’t affect your vision, your doctor may decide not to treat it. Often, doctors won’t treat children with ptosis. They will check their eyes regularly. And they'll probably treat amblyopia with drops, patches, or glasses. The doctor will also watch the eye to see if your child needs surgery as they get older.”
For adults, treatment usually does mean surgery. “Your doctor may remove extra skin and tuck the muscle that lifts the lid. Or the doctor may reattach and strengthen that muscle. You may also be able to wear glasses with a special crutch built in. It lifts your eyelids so you can see better. That helps you avoid surgery,” he added.