Droopy eyelids can be very inconvenient and uncomfortable. In more severe cases, they can also block part or all your vision.
One eye or both may be affected by droopy eyelids, and depending on the cause, it may only impact your vision every now and then, or it may worsen over time.
What Causes Droopy Eyelids?
Most often, drooping eyelids can be related to ageing, where the tendon frays and muscles weaken over time (ptosis), or excess skin develops around the eyes (dermatochalasis).
However, certain cases of ptosis can also be of neurological cause and attention should be sought promptly.
Ptosis ("toe-sis")
Weakness of the tendon that raises the eyelid can be related to natural ageing.
Damage to the delicate nerves that control the eyelid can arise from cranial nerve palsies, tumours, stroke, blood pressure, diabetes, or trauma.
A sudden onset ptosis can be a medical emergency, especially if double vision, unequal pupils, or headaches are also present.
Sometimes, ptosis can be congenital (born with). This is more urgent, as a hanging lid obscuring a child’s view can cause a lazy eye (amblyopia), which, if left untreated can result in permanently poor vision if untreated.
Dermatochalasis
Loose and redundant eyelid skin, usually in both eyes.
Often associated with middle-aged and elderly people.
It can be cosmetically significant and sometimes vision impairing.
Droopy Eyelid Surgery
Droopy eyelid surgery is relatively fast and straightforward and can be performed by an Oculoplastics surgeon to reduce the impact on your vision and restore eyelid appearance.
Signs that it may be time to speak with your eye specialist about treatment options:
- • Droopy eyelid affecting your appearance
- • Sudden drooping of one or both eyelids
- • Having to tip your head back to see under the eyelid (or lifting your brow muscles excessively to compensate)
- • Experiencing tiredness and achiness around the eyes
- • Increased watery or teary eyes even though they feel dry
The recommended treatment depends on many factors and surgical options can include:
A surgical procedure that aims to restore normal lid position. This is sometimes performed in conjunction with blepharoplasty.
A surgical procedure to remove or reposition the excess skin for either functional, visual, or cosmetic reasons.
May also be recommended, although this is far less common.
Children with ptosis also require consideration of vision development and may necessitate patching therapy or more than one surgical procedure to achieve the best outcome.
Specialist Treatment for Droopy Eyelids
Specialist Treatment for Droopy Eyelids
Our specialists are available at three convenient clinic locations across the Gold Coast, fully equipped for the diagnosis, treatment and management of all eye-related conditions.