Ptosis, also known as blepharoptosis, is a condition where your upper eyelid droops. It can affect one or both eyelids and occur at birth or later in life. Age, trauma, or medical conditions are the causes of ptosis. The muscles or ligaments that raise your eyelid may become weak due to injury or disease, leading to drooping. Ptosis Peoria can affect anyone but mainly affects older adults. The condition can be severe, affecting your vision. In most cases, ptosis does not need treatment, but your doctor can recommend surgery or crutches if it is causing harm.
Causes of ptosis
Age
Ptosis is more common in older people because of the natural aging process. The levator muscle lifts your eyelid. Aging can stretch that muscle, causing your eyelid to droop.
Congenital disorder
The levator muscle may not develop properly in unborn children. Children with ptosis can also develop lazy eyes, which can delay or limit vision.
Medical conditions
Ptosis can result from an underlying medical issue, especially if it occurs in both eyes. Drooping of one eyelid can result from a nerve injury or a temporary style. Routine cataract surgery can lead to the development of ptosis due to stretching of the muscle or tendon. Severe conditions like stroke, brain tumor, and cancer of the nerves or muscles can cause drooping eyelids. Neurological disorders that affect your eye nerves or muscles, like myasthenia gravis, can cause ptosis.
Treatment for ptosis
The treatment for ptosis depends on the cause and severity of your drooping eyelid. If the problem results from age or you were born with it and does not cause any harm to your health, your doctor may explain that you do not need any treatment. If you are your ptosis is caused by an underlying condition, the provider will treat the issue, stopping your eyelids from sagging.
If your droopy eyelids cause vision problems or other issues, you can have different treatments, including:
Surgery
Surgery involves tightening the levator muscle to lift your eyelid into the correct position. Doctors can recommend surgery in children to prevent the onset of lazy eyes. Surgery can lead to side effects like dry eye, a scratched cornea, or a hematoma. Sometimes, your surgeon can place your eyelid too high or low, leading to undesirable results.
A sling operation is another surgery for ptosis. In this surgery, your surgeon uses your forehead muscles to elevate your eyelids.
Ptosis crutch
Ptosis crutch is a non-invasive treatment where you add an attachment to your glasses frames. The extension holds your eyelid in place, preventing drooping. There are two forms of ptosis crutches: adjustable and reinforced. Adjustable crutches are placed on one side of the frames, while reinforced are fixed to both sides.
Crutches can be attached to almost all glasses, but they function best on metal frames. This treatment is usually effective when your droopy eyelid is temporary. Your doctor can also recommend a ptosis crutch if you are a good candidate for surgery.
Ptosis is drooping of the upper eyelid. Age, injury, or medical problems can cause ptosis. Your doctor can use crutches or surgery to treat drooping eyelids. Schedule an appointment at Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery for ptosis treatment to eliminate your vision problem.
