What Is Ptosis?
Ptosis is an eye condition where the upper eyelid droops down over the eye. It can affect one or both eyes.
While mild cases of ptosis might not impact your sight and visual acuity, severe ptosis can cause your upper eyelid to cover your pupil, making it difficult or impossible to see out of that eye.
When an eyelid droop affects a child’s vision from birth, it can impact their visual development and result in a lazy eye or eye turn.
Both children and adults are at risk for ptosis. The condition can be intermittent or persistent, but when it obstructs your vision, it can significantly impact your performance in daily activities—such as reading, playing sports, driving and even walking.
Fortunately, Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates in Stamford offers a variety of treatments for ptosis to enhance one’s appearance and improve visual clarity.
What Are the Symptoms of Ptosis?
The most common symptoms of ptosis include:
- Drooping of one or both upper eyelids
- Eye fatigue, especially when reading
- Strained eyes
- Eyebrow aches due to the effort required to raise the eyelids.
- Difficulty blinking or closing the affected eye
To compensate for blocked vision, a person with ptosis may tilt their head back, lift their chin, or raise their eyebrows in an effort to gain visual clarity.
What Causes Ptosis?
Congenital ptosis refers to the presence of a droopy eyelid or eyelids since birth. It’s a rare condition that occurs when the levator muscle, responsible for elevating the upper eyelid, doesn’t develop properly. Congenital ptosis can be mild or severe and can cause permanent vision damage if left untreated.
Acquired ptosis is much more common. This occurs when the levator muscle stretches or pulls away from the eyelid as a result of aging, eye trauma, or ocular nerve damage. Ptosis can also develop following eye surgery if a tendon or muscle in the eye was stretched during the procedure.
Various neurological conditions can cause droopy eyelids. Ptosis can develop with diseases such as myasthenia gravis, congenital myopathies and myotonic dystrophy, or when an eyelid tumor or other growth (cyst or stye) affects the normal functioning of the levator muscle.
Risk Factors for Ptosis
The following conditions can increase your risk of ptosis:
- A stye
- Cancer of ocular nerves or muscles
- Stroke
- Cranial nerve III palsy
- Diabetes
- [Tumors]
- Myasthenia gravis
- Congenital myopathies
- Myotonic dystrophy
- Horner’s syndrome
How Is Ptosis Treated?
Ptosis treatment depends on the severity and underlying cause of the eyelid droop.
If it is caused by a medical condition, treatment will focus on managing the condition itself, which may then improve the eyelid droop as well.
Medication
Your Stamford eye doctor may recommend prescription eye drops for adults with acquired ptosis. Called Upneeq (oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.1%), this FDA-approved medication helps to strengthen the levator muscle in the upper eyelid.
Ptosis Surgery
Ptosis surgery is a common procedure that involves the shortening of the muscles or tendons that raise the eyelid.
Surgery is typically recommended if the eyelid droop is obstructing your vision, or for children with congenital ptosis who are at risk of developing a lazy eye or strabismus as a result of interrupted visual development.
In other cases of ptosis, a suspension to the brow may be performed. This involves lifting the brow region which will also raise the eyelid.
Ptosis Crutch
A ptosis crutch may be recommended if surgery isn’t a viable option. It refers to a device that attaches to the frame of your eyeglasses and holds your eyelid in place to prevent it from drooping.
Unilateral (single eye) ptosis requires an adjustable crutch that attaches to one side of the frame, while bilateral (both eyes) ptosis requires a reinforced crutch that attaches to both sides of the frame.
If you’re concerned about an eyelid droop, please schedule an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists in Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates in Stamford. We will thoroughly assess your condition to determine the cause of your eyelid droop and recommend the most effective treatment plan for your case.