Ptosis eyes are also referred to as “Droopy eyelids.” This means that your eyelids droop over your eyes. Ptosis can occur in adults due to muscle issues, or be present from birth (congenital ptosis) due to a levator muscle malfunction. Children may experience Marcus Gunn “jaw-winking” ptosis, where the eyelid lifts when the jaw opens, usually affecting one eyelid. Adults can develop ptosis later in life due to contact lens use, eye trauma, or cataract surgery, which can weaken the levator muscle tendon. If left untreated, ptosis can lead to astigmatism, blurred vision, and watery eyes due to the eyelid’s weight pressing on the eye.
Droopy Eyelids or Ptosis
As we age, the muscles supporting our eyelids can weaken, leading to ptosis, or droopy eyelids. This condition can impact not only your appearance but also your vision & overall quality of life.
At Perfect Eyes Limited, our skilled surgeons offer a variety of advanced treatments to address ptosis & help you regain a natural, refreshed appearance.
What is Droopy Eye (Ptosis)?
Causes of Droopy Eyelids
Ageing
As we age, the muscles responsible for lifting the eyelids can weaken, causing the eyelids to droop.
Congenital
Some individuals are born with ptosis due to underdeveloped muscles in the eyelids.
Muscle Diseases
Conditions like myasthenia gravis can affect the muscles and nerves controlling eyelid movement, leading to ptosis.
Nerve Damage
Injury or diseases affecting the nerves that control the eyelid muscles can result in ptosis.
Trauma
Injury to the eye or surrounding structures can cause ptosis.
Tumours
Tumours in the eye socket can interfere with eyelid function and cause drooping.
Surgery Complications
Complications from eye or eyelid surgeries can sometimes result in ptosis.
Stye
A stye, or a small infected lump on the eyelid, can cause temporary drooping of the eyelid.
Horner Syndrome
This neurological condition can cause ptosis along with a constricted pupil and lack of sweating on one side of the face.
Myasthenia Gravis
This autoimmune disorder affects the communication between nerves and muscles, often leading to muscle weakness and ptosis.
Stroke
A stroke can damage the brain’s control over the muscles, leading to droopy eyelids if the muscles that lift the eyelid are affected.
Treatments for Droopy Eyelids
Ptosis Surgery
This surgery adjusts the muscles or tendons lifting the eyelid to correct drooping and restore balance, typically done under local or general anaesthesia with incisions hidden in the natural fold of the upper lid.
Meet the Expert: Dr. Sabrina Shah-Desai
With over two decades of surgical and non-surgical experience, Dr. Sabrina Shah-Desai is currently considered to be one of the safest, most experienced oculoplastic surgeons in the UK. Her extensive training, in combination with her caring and empathetic nature, makes her a natural choice for patients seeking the very best care. For this reason, Dr. Sabrina Shah-Desai appears consistently in Tatler magazine as one of the UK’s “Best Eye Surgeon” and “Top Doctors” since 2019, and is the recipient of multiple awards, including “Best Aesthetic Doctor” Safety in Beauty Diamond Award 2023, “Consultant Surgeon of the Year”, “Best Surgical Result” Aesthetic Awards 2021 & Highly Commended “Consultant Surgeon of the Year” Aesthetic Awards 2022. She was voted by “MyFaceMyBody” as one of the Global 100 most influential aesthetic practitioners in 2019 & 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks and complications of Ptosis Surgery?
Every surgical treatment has some risk. However, you can be sure you are in competent and safe hands with us. We will go over any potential issues and side effects during your appointment with us. Some of them include:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Large bruise or haematoma
- Asymmetry of eyelid shape, height, upper lid fold, or fullness
- Blood-stained tears (temporary)
- Recurrence of ptosis
- Contralateral ptosis
- Exposed stitches causing discomfort or a pricking sensation
When do eyelids start to droop?
Eyelids can start drooping at any age. Most cases of involutional drooping eyelids happen in people over 40. But drooping can happen earlier too, depending on the cause.
Can not getting enough sleep make your eyelids droop?
Lack of sleep can make people look more tired, with droopy eyelids, red eyes, and dark circles. It can also cause more wrinkles around the eyes and make the corners of the mouth droop, which may make a person look more sad.
What are the symptoms of ptosis?
The main symptom of ptosis, or a droopy eyelid, is when one or both upper eyelids sag or droop. This can lead to other signs including:
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Watery eyes
- Eye discomfort
- Headaches
Can rubbing your eyes lead to sagging eyelids?
There are different types of sagging eyelids, but the most common one happens when the muscle that raises the eyelid gets too stretched out, usually due to getting older. Excessively rubbing your eyes or pulling on your eyelids because they’re irritated or from wearing contact lenses for a long time can also cause this issue.
Can a droopy eyelid get better on its own?
Sometimes, a sagging eyelid can improve without any treatment. If the drooping eyelid isn’t causing any problems, a person might not need to do anything about it. The treatment options are determined by the cause of the drooping eyelid, the severity of the condition, and the patient’s age.
How can I naturally lift my droopy eyelids?
You can try some natural remedies like using cold compresses, cucumber slices, chamomile tea bags, and serums to help tighten and firm the skin around your eyelids.
