Eyelid heaviness is a sense that the lids are hard to keep open. It can arise from fatigue, mechanical drooping, or neurological weakness.
Contributing Factors
Lack of sleep, eyestrain, and allergies often swell or fatigue the lids, making them feel heavy. True ptosis from age-related tendon stretching, myasthenia gravis, third nerve palsy, or thyroid eye disease physically lowers the lid and increases heaviness.
- Myasthenia gravis heaviness typically worsens through the day and improves with rest
- Allergic swelling makes lids puffy and difficult to lift comfortably
- Eye drops such as prostaglandin analogues can cause lid changes over time
- Psychological tiredness and depression may enhance perception of heaviness
When to Seek Review
New or asymmetric heaviness, especially with drooping or double vision, needs prompt neurological and ophthalmic evaluation. Mild, symmetric heaviness related to fatigue usually responds to rest and addressing underlying triggers.
- Surgical or medical treatments may correct significant ptosis
- Managing allergies and sleep hygiene often eases benign heaviness
- Monitoring ensures potentially serious conditions are not missed
- Patients should avoid driving if eyelid closure threatens vision
