Ptosis is a condition when the upper Eyelids droop. Its scientific term is Blepharoptosis or upper eyelid Ptosis. It can affect both children and adults. Eyelids can droop slightly or so much that can cover the entire pupil leading to vision problems. It can impact one or both eyelids. The condition is treatable.

Ptosis treatment is either surgery or Upneeq. Doctors will prescribe the best treatment for you. Upneeq is an FDA-approved prescription eyedrop that can lift the upper eyelids and allow the opening of your eyes. In clinical trials, Upneeq treatment is proved safe and effective to use.

What is the Reason of Drooping Eye Lids?

There are many reasons for the people to get affected with the drooping eyelids. The condition also affects many newborn babies, so get your children’s eyelids examined. Old-aged ones are also affected due to this condition. The eye-raising muscles or ligaments sometimes gets weakened as there might be injury or disease. Often drooping damage the nerves that control the eyelid muscles.

Generally, Ptosis occurs in adults when there is a separation or stretching of the muscle that pulls up the eyelid. Many people can have this condition due to after-effects of Eye Surgery like a cataract or injury. Other causes are diabetes, an eye tumor, or neurological disorders like myasthenia gravis, stroke, or Horner Syndrome.

Sometimes people face droopy eyelids due to medical reasons like stroke, cancer of muscles, and even brain tumor. Neurological disorders can also impact the nerves or eye muscles like myasthenia gravis which can cause ptosis.

Symptoms

An obvious sign is the drooping eyelid. Many people also get watering eyes. However, it depends on how severe your eyelid is drooping and you might have difficulty seeing. Children with this condition might keep on tilting their heads back or raise their eyebrows to try to see from under the eyelids.

The most impacted area is around your eyes. You might experience aching, which might cause you to look tired. The doctor will investigate the drooping eyelids to ascertain if there is no underlying medical condition. This is important as many people face migraine headaches or other issues after noticing the drooping.

How Droopy Eyelid is Diagnosed?

Your doctor will perform some physical examination and will also ask about your medical history. Once you have explained to your doctor how often your eyelids droop and the duration, you will pass through tests to find the reason. Doctors might also perform a slit lamp exam to have a clear view of your eye with a high-intensity light.

Your doctor might also conduct a Tensilon test, which means doctor might inject a drug known as Tensilon, also known as edrophonium in the eyes and veins. While conducting the test, you are also asked to cross or uncross your legs or stand or sit down several times. It helps to find if Tensilon is improving your muscle strength. Examining doctor can then determine whether a droopy eyelid is due to the myasthenia gravis.

Complications

Though Ptosis does not cause any medical issues, many people can face serious complications due to the condition.

• A drooping eyelid can cause amblyopia (Loss of vision in that particular eye.)
• People having drooping eyelids can feel low self-esteem or even alienation. It can have a psychological impact on teens and young children.
• Children with this condition can also suffer from headaches due to tension in forehead muscles.
• Reduced vision can also impact daily activities while driving or climbing stairs.

Treatment of Ptosis

Its treatment depends on the functioning of the eyelid muscles. If Ptosis is not impacting vision and the patient also does not care much about the looks, doctors do not recommend any treatment. However, you can go for plastic surgery if you want to uplift your eyelids.

However, if the ptosis starts creating problems and impacting vision, the appearance of both requires treatment. Which Ptosis treatment you need depends on whether the condition is due to disease or aging. If the ptosis is due to aging, doctors generally prescribe surgery.

Eyelid surgery is known as Blepharoplasty. It involves tightening muscles that raise eyelids. In many cases a muscle known as the levator gets very weak, in that case, doctors conduct a sling operation which makes your forehead muscles raise your eyes.

Some glasses can keep your eyelid up, it is called a ptosis clutch, yet another treatment option. Treatment is quite effective when the droopy eyelid is only temporary. If you cannot somehow go for surgery, doctors recommend glasses.

 Ptosis Surgery

Ptosis Surgery is performed under local anesthesia with sedation (the patient is awake but is not feeling the procedure). During surgery, the surgeon opens the skin of the upper eyelid, where the small muscle is located. Surgeon stitches to tighten muscles for raising the eyelid. The incision is thereon closed with more stitches. The skin incision is not required if the eyelid is flipped or muscle tightened.

However, after surgery people can get side effects. Many people can have dry eyes, scratched cornea, and a hematoma.

Another alternative method is a sling operation, in which surgeons use forehead muscles to elevate the eyelids. After surgery, doctors still recommend taking care of the eye, so it is pertinent for the patient to get back to the doctor after surgery so that you can check the results.

Sometimes, the eyelid might still droop a little bit or might not close. If the doctor notices it might recommend additional treatment. However the eyelid regains its normal position soon after the operation.

How Upneeq helps in Ptosis treatment?

Upneeq is a ptosis treatment without surgery and is used once daily for prescription eyedrop for acquired ptosis that helps lift your upper eyelids and open your eyes.

In many patients, Upneeq had helped to lift eyelids in a single day. In clinical trials, Upneeq has proven to be safe and effective when used as directed. Many patients face side effects like eye redness, dry eye, blurred vision, eye irritation, pain, and even headache.

However, it is your doctor who will prescribe Upneeq for you.

Florida Eye Care Associates offers cosmetic or surgical Eye Care Services. The Center offers eye surgery and Upneeq treatment under the care of the best doctors. If necessary, special tests are also conducted for diabetes, thyroid problem, etc.  The center has highly experienced eye specialists, so talk to our doctor today as droopy eyelids can be a sign of a dangerous condition.

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