As we age, it is natural for our skin to sag, and some sagging can indicate an abnormal condition, especially if the sagging occurs in the wrong place, such as with drooping eyelids. Although many people may think it is harmless and just a nuisance in daily life, in reality, if left untreated, drooping eyelids can not only look unattractive but also cause loss of vision.
What is drooping eyelid?
Drooping eyelid is a condition where the eyelid skin is excessively loose or stretched, sagging down to cover the pupil, causing vision problems. It is usually easy to notice, such as when trying to see, the patient has to tilt their head back to see past the drooping eyelid. Some people are born with this condition, while others develop it as they age.
Congenital drooping eyelid
Congenital drooping eyelid is a condition where the eyelid muscles are abnormal from birth, causing the child to be unable to fully open their eyes or have unevenly sized eyeballs. This prevents the child from opening their eyelids properly, resulting in blurred vision. If left untreated, it may cause “lazy eye,” which affects the child’s vision and is difficult to correct in adulthood.
Age-related drooping eyelid
Age-related drooping eyelid occurs when the eyelid lifting muscles in elderly people become stretched or detached due to prolonged use. This can be observed as the eyes appear smaller because the eyelids gradually droop over the eyes. However, drooping eyelids are not considered dangerous unless they affect vision or daily life. If left untreated for a long time, it may interfere with vision.
Other causes of drooping eyelid
Other causes of drooping eyelid include abnormalities in the nervous system, growth of tumors or abnormalities in the eye, severe eye injuries, or torn eyelids or eyelid skin.
When should you see a doctor for drooping eyelid?
- The drooping eyelid causes blurred vision
- The drooping eyelid almost completely closes the eye
- The drooping eyelid is accompanied by double vision
- The drooping eyelid varies during the day, such as worsening in the evening or with lack of rest
- There is weakness in the arms or legs on one side of the body
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor for treatment of the drooping eyelid. You can check your own eyelids by looking in the mirror, looking straight ahead, and observing if the upper eyelid covers more than the pupil. If the eyelid droops abnormally, you should also see a doctor.
Drooping eyelid should not be ignored and requires prompt treatment
Treatment of drooping eyelid through surgery takes only 45 minutes per eye. An ophthalmologist will lift the eyelid muscle to prevent it from covering the pupil, allowing the patient to lift the eyelid better and improve or restore vision. After surgery, patients can go home immediately without hospital stay. The surgery is comparable to double eyelid surgery, so it is not as scary as it sounds because it involves only a small incision.
However, patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease must inform the doctor before surgery and prepare their health accordingly. For example, diabetic patients must maintain stable blood sugar levels for 3 months before surgery and control blood pressure well to prevent excessive bleeding during surgery. Heart disease patients taking blood thinners must be managed by a specialist before surgery.
