Drooping of the upper eyelids can occur in older people or can be a congenital disability in newborns. Drooping may happen in one or both eyes. In older people, ptosis in Reston may result from skin laxity or sagging on the eyelids. Ptosis may cause you to look sleepy or have a lazy eye. Sometimes the drooping can be too much that it partly covers the pupil in your eye. People with ptosis may have visual challenges whereby their vision is partially or completely limited. Most people seek medical attention to improve their vision and facial appearance due to drooping eyelids.
How does ptosis affect children?
Congenital ptosis affects children and can result in partial visual impairment. A common and obvious sign of ptosis is drooping eyelids in both or one eye. Children with ptosis may experience:
- Astigmatism. This problem develops when the pressure on the front eye affects visions and results in blurry images. Children with astigmatism need medical assessment for treatment which may include wearing glasses or undergoing surgery.
- Frequent head and neck movements while trying to see clearly. Sometimes the eyelids can droop so low and cover the pupil. Due to limited vision, a child will raise their head to see beneath the sagging eyelids. For an extended period, a child may develop neck problems, including chronic pain, when this goes on. Children may also adapt a compensatory mechanism such as contracting the forehead muscles to pull the eyelids upwards. Surgery may be the best option for children with severe ptosis.
- Amblyopia. Children with amblyopia have decreased eyesight because of abnormal visual development resulting from astigmatism. This problem may affect one or both eyes due to inadequate stimulation of the nerve pathways between the brain and eyes. Treatment may include contact lenses, eye drops, glasses, and, other times, surgery.
What causes ptosis in adults?
Acquired ptosis in adults may be due to neurologic conditions, including progressive external ophthalmoplegia that affects the nerves and eye muscles, causing problems with the levator apparatus muscles. Natural factors like aging can cause the levator muscles to separate from the eyelid. Eyelids may also droop or sag due to eye injury and eye surgeries. In rare cases, tumors and diseases have been diagnosed as the causes for ptosis in adults.
Treatment for ptosis
The main aim or goal for treating ptosis is to improve your vision. If your condition is mild and does not affect your vision, your doctor may recommend patches, glasses, and eye drops for treatment. For a child with ptosis, various factors need to be considered before treatment that includes:
- Movement of the eye
- A child’s age
- The strength of the levator muscles
- Whether the condition affects one or both eyes.
Besides affecting your facial appearance, ptosis can get in your way of specific activities such as reading, driving, or walking down and up a staircase. If you notice slight or significant drooping of your eyelids, reserve a session with your specialist at Rostami OPC to diagnose and treat ptosis to improve your quality of life.