How to Say Goodbye to a Droopy Eyelid

The appearance of a droopy eyelid can be a sign of ptosis AKA droopy eyelids which can be caused by conditions such as nerve damage, neurological disorders, a stroke, the aging process, trauma, or other underlying medical conditions. The condition can affect one or both eyes and it might be a permanent condition or simply temporary in nature. In addition, it can cause a blockage or reduction in the vision of a person based on how much it is obstructing the pupil. Interested in learning how to treat the condition? Keep reading to learn the answer!

Droopy Eyelid – Who Experiences the Condition?

Almost anyone can experience droopy eyelids and there is not a large difference in the number of men and women who have the condition.

Having said that, it is a more common condition among older adults simply because of the aging process. As a person ages, the muscle that is responsible for lifting the eyelid, the levator muscle, can begin to stretch and cause the eyelid to start to droop and fall. If the condition is present since birth, it is known as congenital ptosis and it occurs when the levator muscle does not properly develop.

Ptosis can also develop due to an incorrect injection of Botox but the patient will enjoy a reversal of this condition once the results of the Botox have passed.

Droopy Eyelid – Common Symptoms and Diagnosis

In general, the main symptom associated with a droopy eyelid is the sagging of one or both of the eyelids. While it can impact the vision of a person, there are also times when the sagging is not very noticeable.

A person with droopy eyelids can also have eyes that are watery or very dry along with a look to the face that gives a person a tired appearance.

In order to discover the cause of a droopy eyelid, a patient should undergo a physical examination and have a discussion with a doctor about the length of time the droopy eyelid has been present. The doctor will examine the eyelids and also run some tests to determine the cause of the condition. The tests can include an examination of the eye using a high intensity light or an injection of a drug called Tensilon into the veins to see if it helps improve the muscle strength of the patient as well as whether or not a condition known as myasthenia gravis is the reason for the droopy eyelid.

Droopy Eyelid – How it the Condition Treated?

The choice of treatment for a droopy eyelid depends on the cause of the condition along with the severity of the issue.

For example, if the droopy eyelid is caused by the aging process or is simply something the patient has experienced since birth, a doctor might say that nothing should be done about the condition since it will not impact the health of the person. If the doctor gives this diagnosis, the patient can still undergo plastic surgery for the droopy eyelid to try and reduce the amount of drooping.

If the droopy eyelid is the result of an underlying medical condition, the doctor will likely treat the issue in order to prevent the eyelids from sagging. In addition, if the eyelid is blocking the vision of the person, the patient might need a surgical treatment to try and reduce the amount of blockage. During a surgical treatment, the levator muscle is tightened so the eyelid will be lifted upwards into the desired position. If the patient is a child with ptosis, the doctor might recommend surgery to lessen the chances of the development of a lazy eye.

There is also an alternative surgical procedure known as a “sling” operation where the muscles of the forehead are used by the doctor to help elevate the eyelids.

Finally, the doctor might use a nonsurgical option known as a “ptosis crutch.” This treatment involves the placing of an attachment on the frames of almost all types of glasses to prevent the eyelids from drooping by holding the eyelids in place.

Ptosis – Can it be Prevented?

While there is no certain way to prevent an eyelid from dropping, the ability to recognize the symptoms along with having regularly scheduled eye exams can help address the condition.

The development of ptosis needs to be taken seriously and addressed as soon as possible as it can have a negative impact on the vision of a person. If the patient visits a doctor soon after the symptoms of a droopy eyelid are noticed, the doctor might be able to stop the condition from becoming worse.

It is important to remember that a drooping eyelid is not harmful to the health of a person. It can have a negative impact on the vision, so it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The length of time that the droopy eyelid lasts depends on the cause of the condition and the extent of the drooping (including how much it is blocking the vision of the person).

- MA