What is Eyelid Droop?

A droopy eyelid is defined as the drooping of the eyelid in a way that covers a part of the eye. It is referred to as "ptosis" in the medical literature. Depending on the causes of eyelid drooping and the health status of the eyelid muscles, the eyelid may droop to close the pupil. This disease can be seen in patients of all ages and all genders. Eyelid drooping may be congenital or may develop later. It needs to be treated because it causes both eye aesthetics and visual impairment. Eyelid drooping can occur in one eye or both eyes. The drooping of both eyelids is called "bilateral ptosis". If there is a drooping one eyelid, it can be expected to heal on its own. If there is a drooping of the lids of both eyes, this must be treated with surgical methods.

Causes of Eyelid Drooping

Eyelid drooping can occur later, or it can be congenital. The causes of droopy eyelids can be listed as follows;

Insufficient strength of the eyelid in the womb

Losing the health of the muscles holding the eyelid

Damage to the eyelid muscles

Blows to the eyelid

Eye injuries

Eye tumors

old age

Using contact lenses for a long time

Lateral masses on the eyelid

Causes such as drugs used to treat certain diseases can cause eyelid drooping.

Droopy Eyelid Symptoms

The most basic symptom of eyelid drooping is drooping of the upper eyelid in one or both eyes. This droopy eyelid may not be obvious when viewed from the front, or it may be very advanced. Eyelid droop symptoms can be listed as follows;

    • When the person tilts his head back to see better, he tries to pull the eyelids up by raising his chin or raising his eyebrows.

    • Neck, waist, and spine pains due to the above movements to facilitate vision

    • A tired and dull expression on the face

    • Dry eye or excessive tearing

    • Conditions such as lazy eye are among the symptoms of droopy eyelids. In such cases, it is useful to see an ophthalmologist and then a plastic surgeon.

Eyelid Droop Treatment

Regardless of the cause of droopy eyelids, the treatment of droopy eyelids is plastic surgery. In the procedure, the muscle group in the eyelid called “levator muscle” is strengthened and the eyelid lift is applied. Eyelid drooping surgery varies according to the type and severity of droopy eyelids. Eyelid droop can be treated using different techniques. It can be performed from the skin fold or under the upper eyelid with scarless surgery. In cases of congenital drooping of the eyelids, if the function of the levator muscle, which lifts the upper eyelid, is low, the eyelid in the eyebrow area is suspended with the help of a silicone strip. The aesthetic surgeon decides the method to be applied in the surgery if the eyelid is examined. Eyelid lift surgeries applied to adults are generally performed under local anesthesia. On the same day, the patient is discharged after the necessary examinations are made. Ice applications on the day of surgery can prevent swelling and bruising.