How Droopy Eyelids Affect Vision

Droopy eyelids occur when eyelids sag and droop. It may be caused by weakened muscle, damaged nerves to the eye muscle or the lost of elasticity of skin of the upper eyelids. Droopy eyelids can cause the eyes to appear smaller and in more severe conditions, it may cover part of the pupil and affect vision. This condition is known as Ptosis and according to UC San Diego Health System, it affects about five percent of the population and the odds increases with age.

Causes

• One of the most common reasons for droopy eyelids is aging. Aging causes the eye muscle to weaken and sag as the weakened muscle no longer has the same lifting ability as before. In some cases, fat pads in the eyelids may slip or the levator muscle (muscle that opens the eye) may detach, resulting in droopy eyelids. Congenital eye muscle defect may also result in droopy eyes. Other causes of droopy eyes include certain health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, Horner syndrome, myasthenia gravis, brain tumor or cancer that affects nerve or muscle reactions.

Effects

• Droopy eyes can affect just one eyelid or both. When the drooping is slight, it may not be noticeable and vision is usually not affected. In severe cases, the eyelids can droop over the pupil and obstruct vision. Often, it is the loss of peripheral (side) vision, rather than central visual acuity, the vision needed to read, according to Shiley Eye Center. In cases where the levator muscle is detached, visual field may be affected. Eye doctors usually conduct a visual field test to determine the extent of vision impairment.

Treatment

• Droopy eyes not only affect vision, they can give you a tired and sleepy look. A procedure called blepharoplasty may be used to repair droopy eyelids to restore them to their natural shape. This procedure is often conducted under local anesthesia to remove sagging skin. In some cases, fat pads are removed and if the levator muscle is detached, it will be reattached to the tarsus muscle. The whole process takes about 40 minutes to an hour and normal activities can be resumed after a week.

  In some cases, where patients are not good candidates for surgery, special spectacle frames that help to suspend the eyelid with a wire may be used. These frames are usually prescribed for patients with temporary or partial paralysis.

Consideration

• Medline Plus advises people with new or rapidly changing ptosis to consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. For children, it is crucial to seek treatment as droopy eyelids may lead to lazy eye.