What makes eyelid droop

Informed by current CDC guidelines. Skip to main content Skip to accessibility services Buoy Logo. Nav Close Icon. Nav Open Icon. Health articles Chevron Icon. Featured topics. Symptom checker. Editorial standards. Who we serve Chevron Icon. Brokers and Consultants. Solutions Chevron Icon. Care Navigation. Sections Icon. Buoy Chat Icon.

Symptom Checker. Verified By Experts Icon. Verified by experts 8 min read. No Ads. Lauren Nadler, MD. Jeffrey M. Last updated March 15, Heart Icon. Speech Bubble Icon. Share Icon. Facebook Icon. LinkedIn Icon. Pinterest Icon. Pocket Icon. Share Link Icon. Copied to clipboard. Table of Contents. Drooping eyelid questionnaire Use our free symptom checker to find out what's causing your drooping eyelid. Drooping eyelid symptoms Drooping of one or both eyelids can be an irritating symptom, regardless of how long the patient has been experiencing it.

Common accompanying symptoms of a drooping eyelid If you're experiencing a drooping eyelid, it's also likely to experience: Small pupil and lack of sweating Enlarged pupil Decreased ability to move the eye Headache Muscle weakness Blurry vision Eye pain , itching, or discharge.

Drooping eyelid causes Congenital Drooping Eyelid Causes: Drooping of one or both eyelids can be present from birth and is called congenital ptosis. Neurological conditions Certain neurological conditions can result in a drooping eyelid.

Peripheral nerve damage: Injury to peripheral nerves that contribute to eyelid function can lead to drooping eyelid symptoms. This can occur via trauma to a major artery in the neck or compression by a tumor in the lung. There may be additional symptoms such as a constricted pupil and lack of sweating.

Decreased blood flow: Obstruction of blood supply in certain areas of the brain, such as during a stroke, can lead to drooping of one or both eyelids. Structural abnormality in the brain: An aneurysm, meaning an enlarged portion of a blood vessel, can compress a major nerve that supplies the eye and eyelid the oculomotor nerve.

This causes eyelid drooping, decreased ability to move the eye, and an enlarged pupil. A similar process can occur due to a brain tumor. Muscular conditions The following muscular conditions may result in a drooping eyelid.

Neuromuscular condition: Communication between nerves and muscles can be disrupted by an inappropriate immune response. Let us now go through each and every cause for drooping eyelid below:.

One of the most common causes of drooping eyelids is the age and it affects both sides. It causes wrinkling of the skin and stretching of the levator muscle of the eyes. Also, this may be affected due to fatty deposits beneath the skin that causes the saggy eyelids. However, it also gives the indication of age and also makes a person looks older than the actual age they have. This condition lead affected people to think about cosmetic surgery that can help to lift the upper eyelid.

Congenital droopy eyes is a situation where droopy eyelid takes place in the newborn baby and it may be because of the underdevelopment of the levator muscle of the eye. Here levator is the muscle that helps lift the upper eyelids. This muscle is associated with strabismus; misaligned or crossed eye or even squint. If this is left uncorrected then it can lead to amblyopia, ie. However, in some cases where the eyelid covers the pupil, surgery is definitely suggested.

Cranial nerve and brain injuries due to any reason can cause ptosis as it affects the nerve supply to the muscles of the eyes and eyelids. Brain tumor, stroke, aneurysm and long-term diabetes may also cause this to happen. However, the most common symptoms generally take place on one side and are ptosis, anhydrosis, the constricted pupil on the affected eye side. This syndrome may also take place as a result of tumor, stroke and injury to the spinal cord.

Also, multiple sclerosis is a condition that arises from degeneration of the fatty sheath surrounding the nerve. Ptosis is a symptom along with muscle weakness and lack of condition.

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy is nothing but just an inherited muscle disease that affects the eye movement and it may also cause issues with swollen eyes.

Droopy eyes may be the major symptom of getting drooped eyes. Another muscles diseases known as progressive external ophthalmoplegia , it takes place more probably in young adults and it may also cause bilateral ptosis. This leaves the inner eyelid surface exposed and prone to irritation. Ectropion is more common in older adults, and it generally affects only the lower eyelid.

In severe ectropion, the entire length of the eyelid is turned out. In less severe ectropion, only one segment of the eyelid sags away from the eye. Artificial tears and lubricating ointments can help relieve symptoms of ectropion. But usually surgery is needed to fully correct the condition. Normally when you blink, your eyelids distribute tears evenly across your eyes, keeping the surfaces of the eyes lubricated.

These tears drain into small openings on the inner part of your eyelids puncta. If you have ectropion, your lower lid pulls away from your eye and tears don't drain properly into the puncta. Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and ask you about your medical history.

They may perform a slit lamp exam so that your doctor can take a close look at your eye with the help of high-intensity light. Your eyes may be dilated for this exam, so you may experience some slight eye discomfort. Another exam that can be used to diagnose issues such as droopy eyelid is the Tensilon test. Your doctor may inject a drug called Tensilon, known generically as edrophonium, into one of your veins.

You may be asked to cross and uncross your legs or stand up and sit down several times. Your doctor will monitor you to see if the Tensilon improves your muscle strength. This will help them determine whether a condition called myasthenia gravis is causing the droopy eyelid.

However, you may opt for plastic surgery if you want to reduce the drooping. If your doctor finds that your droopy eyelid is caused by an underlying condition, you will likely be treated for that.

This should typically stop the eyelids from sagging. Your doctor may recommend surgery. Glasses that can hold the eyelid up, called a ptosis crutch, are another option. This treatment is often most effective when the droopy eyelid is only temporary.

Your doctor may recommend ptosis surgery. During this procedure, the levator muscle is tightened. This will lift the eyelid up into the desired position. For children who have ptosis, doctors sometimes recommend surgery to prevent the onset of lazy eye amblyopia.

However, there are risks associated with surgery, including dry eye, a scratched cornea , and a hematoma. A hematoma is a collection of blood. The ptosis crutch is a nonsurgical option that involves adding an attachment to the frames of your glasses. This attachment, or crutch, prevents drooping by holding the eyelid in place. There are two types of ptosis crutches: adjustable and reinforced. Adjustable crutches are attached to one side of the frames, while reinforced crutches are attached to both sides of the frames.