“Ptosis” is the medical term for a drooping upper eyelid. Eyelid drooping can sometimes affect vision if it’s severe. Ptosis isn’t a disease, but a symptom of a condition that you should seek treatment for.
It may occur for several reasons such as: disease, injury, birth defect, previous eye surgery and age. A number of factors that affect the muscles, nerves, or skin of the eyelids can cause ptosis. The muscles that allow your eyelids to move up and down – known as the levator muscles – can weaken from age or injury.
In addition, some people may be born with eye muscles that are weaker than normal, causing them to develop ptosis at a young age.
Other causes:
Other contributing factors that may also increase your risk of ptosis include:
- Cluster headaches (severe headaches that strike frequently during “cluster periods” and then go into remission)
- Some chronic conditions, including diabetes and myasthenia gravis
- Nerve damage
An ophthalmologist who specialises in oculoplastic surgery is best placed to perform the corrective surgery.