DEALING WITH DROOPY EYELIDS
“Factors like allergies, swelling, obesity, thyroid dysfunction and some medical conditions may also lead to droopy eyelids”
Not many of us are aware of the problem of droopy eyelids or ptosis. While droopy eyelids may make you look tired, older or lazy, some may consider this as a normal issue of sagging eyelids, or hooded eyes and hence ignore this problem, considering it as a usual process of ageing.
Droopy Eyelids
This condition is characterized by an abnormally low position of the eyelid that may cover the pupil. ins etc. The condition may affect only one or both the eyes and may not be that severe. However, if ignored and remain untreated, it may lead to amblyopia or astigmatism.
Doctors have segregated this condition into two types:
- Acquired : This is generally caused due to ageing. wherein the eye muscles become weak and thin.
- Congenital : This is present from the time of birth due to the lack of development of the eyelid muscles.
Risk Factors
Droopy eyelids may affect vision, especially in the case of congenital ptosis and the symptoms may include difficulty in opening the eyes, eye fatigue, double vision and misalignment of eyes.
Various researches conducted across the world have provided insight regarding the risk factors that play a major role in sagging eyelids, apart from ageing. Some studies suggest that a higher BMI, genetics and the colour of the skin drastically affects people. Here are the scientific reasons and causes of this problem.
Causes
Genetics
Apart from age, genetic factors also play a major role to make a person susceptible to drooping eyelids. In case you have a history of this eye problem among your family members, your mother or sister, you are more likely to develop the same.
BMI
A person’s body mass index (BMI) is another risk factor. Studies have suggested that people with a high BMI have the possibility of higher fat deposits under the eye, as compared to those with a lower BMI and hence, the under eye fat pad has high chances of being large.
Environmental Factors
A diet that has too much salt, an excessive intake of alcohol, smoking and oversleeping, may lead to pufliness, or swelling of the eye. Sometimes, the weight from the muscle may also lead to eye fatigue.’ Other factors like allergies, a swelling, obesity, thyroid dysfunction and some medical conditions, may also lead to droopy eyelids.
Ageing
With age, the skin loses its elasticity and it becomes difficult for the eye muscles to hold back the skin firmly.
Other Factors
Trauma, surgery (cataract removal) or damaged eye muscle (paralysis of nerve fibres) may also result in droopy eyelids.
Treatment And Prevention
A physical examination followed by certain eye tests will determine the problem of drooping eyelids. A slit lamp exam or Tensilon Test is the most reliable eye exam for this eye problem.
- In minor cases, the person may not require treatment and is advised to wear glasses as these glasses have a crutch that keeps the eyelids in place.
- The risk factors also play an important role in the treatment process. For example, if the problem is due to ageing, it might not require medical intervention. But in case droopy eyelids inhibit your vision, you may need surgery.
- In severe cases, surgery is the only option as it tightens the levator tendon in the eye. However, despite various precautions, surgery might lead to complications like an infection, excessive bleeding at the place of surgery, nerve damage and asymmetrical face shape.
- Eye creams having polyhydroxy acid, antioxidant, peptides plump etc. are a viable option to tackle this problem as it works wonders for drooping eyelids, especially in minor cases.
- Fillers are the best bet to treat a problem of drooping eyelids and it is a highly effective non-invasive method that leads to a smooth skin.
- Laser surgery is another viable option to treat this condition. It tightens the skin around the eyes and gently resurfaces the eyelids gradually. In this procedure, the laser causes microscopic thermal damage which gets healed by the growing new skin that is firmer and smoother. The procedure also improves skin texture, elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles.
- Blepharoplasty is an eyelid surgery, wherein tiny incisions are made in the eyelids and the excess fat is removed. The skin is then tightened, resulting in reducing the puffiness significantly.
- Lastly, you can try to transfer attention to your eyebrows, instead of your eyelids!