Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplications & Risk FactorsDiagnosisSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications & Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Seeking Medical Care
Nearly everyone experiences droopy eyelids before they drift off to sleep, but if your upper lid is constantly hanging over your eye, you may have a condition calledptosis, meaning an abnormally low-hanging upper eyelid.
Continue reading to learn more about droopy eyelids, such as what can cause the condition and treatments, including a medication that was only recently approved.
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Symptoms of Droopy Eyelid
The primarysymptom of ptosisis a droopy upper eyelid that hangs over the eye. If your droopy eyelid is minor, it might not interfere with your vision, but in severe cases the eyelid can cover the pupil, making it difficult to see. A droopy eyelid can occur in just one eye, or both.
In addition to a droopy eyelid, you may experience:
Kids with a droopy eyelid may experience addition symptoms including:
Types of Droopy Eyelid
Causes of Droopy Eyelid
Some people are born with a droopy eyelid, while others develop the condition later in life. The most common causes of a droopy eyelid are:
How to Treat a Droopy Eyelid
The most common course of treatment is surgery. There are a few different types of surgery that treat a droopy eyelid, and your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following:
Complications and Risk Factors Associated With Droopy Eyelid
If a droopy eyelid isn’t corrected, it may affect your vision. You might experience vision loss or a reduced field of vision. In children, a droopy eyelid can lead to headaches, dizziness, and developmental delays. It’s always best to see a healthcare provider about your droopy eyelid, especially if it begins to affect your sight.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of a Droopy Eyelid?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You should always see a healthcare provider if you have a droopy eyelid. This is a condition that can become worse with time, affecting your vision and muscles. While it might seem minor, it’s important to seek a professional diagnosis, and work with a healthcare provider to develop the right treatment plan for you.
Summary
A droopy eyelid isn’t just a cosmetic concern: it’s a medical condition called ptosis. If you have a droopy eyelid you should talk to a healthcare provider, especially if it is affecting your vision. A droopy eyelid is usually treated with surgery under a local anesthetic. It’s a minor procedure that can help restore your full field of vision and prevent other complications.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shahzad B, Siccardi M A.Ptosis.National Library of Medicine.Lazarus R.Ptosis: Why is my eyelid drooping?Optometrists Network.Nemours Children’s Health.Ptosis.New York University Langone.Types of ptosis.NYU Langone Health.Ptosis surgery.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shahzad B, Siccardi M A.Ptosis.National Library of Medicine.Lazarus R.Ptosis: Why is my eyelid drooping?Optometrists Network.Nemours Children’s Health.Ptosis.New York University Langone.Types of ptosis.NYU Langone Health.Ptosis surgery.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Shahzad B, Siccardi M A.Ptosis.National Library of Medicine.Lazarus R.Ptosis: Why is my eyelid drooping?Optometrists Network.Nemours Children’s Health.Ptosis.New York University Langone.Types of ptosis.NYU Langone Health.Ptosis surgery.
Shahzad B, Siccardi M A.Ptosis.National Library of Medicine.
Lazarus R.Ptosis: Why is my eyelid drooping?Optometrists Network.
Nemours Children’s Health.Ptosis.
New York University Langone.Types of ptosis.
NYU Langone Health.Ptosis surgery.
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