MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Eyelid drooping

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Eyelid drooping

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Considerations Common Causes	Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

Illustrations

Ptosis, drooping of the eyelid

Definition Return to top

This is excessive drooping of the upper eyelid(s). See also drooping eyelid disease (ptosis).

Considerations Return to top

Drooping eyelids can be constant, progressive, or intermittent. It can be one-sided, or on both sides. When drooping is one-sided (unilateral), it is easy to detect by comparing the relative position of the eyelids. Drooping is more difficult to detect when it occurs on both sides, or if there is only a slight problem.

A furrowed forehead or a chin-up head position may indicate that someone is trying to see under their drooping lids. Eyelid drooping can make someone appear sleepy or tired.

Drooping lids are either congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life. A drooping eyelid is not a reason to panic, but should be reported to the doctor.

Common Causes Return to top

Both eyelids

Normal variation of the eyelids
Normal aging process
Migraine headaches
Medical problem such as myasthenia gravis

One eyelid drooping

Normal variation
Normal aging process
Nerve injury
A growth in the eyelid such as a stye
Medical problem

Home Care Return to top

Below is a list of recommendations based on various causes for eye drooping.

Caused by nerve injury -- consult your doctor about surgical correction.
Caused by an allergic reaction -- consult your doctor about antihistamine or steroid treatment.
Caused by aging -- no treatment is necessary.
All other causes -- follow your health care provider's recommendations.

Call your health care provider if Return to top

One eyelid suddenly droops or closes.
Eyelid drooping is affecting appearance or vision.
It is associated with other symptoms such as double vision.

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

The medical history will be obtained, and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting drooping eyelids in detail may include:

Are both eyelids affected or just one?
How long has this been present?
Is it getting worse or staying the same?
Is it present all of the time or only sometimes?
What other symptoms are also present?

The physical examination may include a detailed assessment of nerve functioning.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Interventions:
Surgery may be necessary to correct levator muscle dysfunction (problems with the muscles that open the eyelid).

Special spectacle frames that suspend the eyelid by traction with a wire may be provided. Usually these frames are used to help patients with temporary, partial paralysis, or those who are not good candidates for surgery.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to eyelid drooping to your personal medical record.

Update Date: 11/3/2003

Updated by: Raymond S. Douglas M.D., Ph.D. Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.