Eyelid ptosis, or droopy eyelid, can be present at birth or acquired later in life. Surgery is the typical treatment, but options vary depending on the cause and severity. It can cause limited vision, headaches, and physical deformity, and corrective surgery should be completed within the first five years of life.
A droopy or droopy eyelid is described in medical terminology as palpebral ptosis: palpebral refers to the eyelid. Patients with this condition appear to have one or both eyes completely or partially closed. This disorder can be present at birth or acquired later in life. Surgery is the typical treatment for eyelid ptosis, but options vary depending on the cause and severity of the disfigurement.
This condition occurs when the levator muscles that control the eyelid don’t work properly. Most cases of eyelid ptosis are seen in only one eye, although it is possible for both eyes to be affected. People with this condition experience limited vision, headaches, and dissatisfaction with physical deformity. In some cases, people with eyelid ptosis can compensate for visual limitations by lifting their chin and looking down. This posture can put stress on the neck muscles over time.
In cases where the condition developed after birth, doctors may consult photographs to determine when symptoms began and chart how the disfigurement has progressed. Acquired eyelid ptosis is sometimes part of the natural aging process or can occur alongside a cataract. It can also be the result of surgery or physical trauma to the eye and surrounding muscles. In rare cases, added weight from a growth or tumor to the area can cause the eyelid to droop.
If eyelid ptosis is congenital in nature, it may or may not be apparent at birth. Symptoms are usually seen before the child’s first birthday. Patients who are born with this disfigurement often have malformed muscle tissue in the eyelid or fat deposits that lack elasticity. Although this condition can be the result of birth trauma, infants and children who show signs of eyelid ptosis should be thoroughly examined for other chromosomal disorders.
Eyelid ptosis will not correct itself over time without intervention. Early treatment is important, because children with congenital forms of the condition may have developmental delays due to their limited vision. Attempts to compensate for this abnormality can result in damage to the neck or spine. Corrective surgery should be completed within the first five years of life.
Corrective surgery for eyelid ptosis can be cosmetic or functional in nature. The procedure, sometimes called blepharoplasty, usually shortens or strengthens the muscles that control the eyelid. In rare cases, the muscles may be too weak to repair, and the surgeon will correct the problem by attaching the eyelid to the forehead muscles. Surgery for this condition is relatively delicate, as eyelid ptosis can be over-corrected. This results in the inability to fully close the eye or paralysis of the eyelid.
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