Ptosis means drooping of the upper eyelid when the lid margin sits lower than normal, sometimes covering part of the pupil and affecting vision.
Causes and symptoms of ptosis
Ptosis can be present from birth or develop later due to ageing, long term contact lens wear, previous surgery, trauma, or medical and neurological conditions. People often notice one lid lower than the other, needing to raise the eyebrows or tilt the head back to see clearly.
- May cause tired, heavy feeling around the eyes
- Can reduce the upper field of view and affect driving or reading
- Sometimes leads to headaches from constant brow lifting
- Children with ptosis need careful monitoring for lazy eye
Assessment and management
A specialist measures lid height, muscle strength, and eye movements to find the cause and plan treatment. Mild cases may simply be observed, while more significant drooping is usually treated with ptosis surgery.
- Photographs and visual field tests help document the impact on vision
- Other conditions such as dry eye or eye surface disease are also considered
- Treatment aims to balance lid height, function, and appearance
- Urgent assessment is needed if ptosis comes on suddenly with other symptoms
