Ptosis is the medical term to describe the drooping or sagging of the skin of the upper eyelids. It can affect one eye or both. One of the biggest problems people with Ptosis experience is the way the drooping and sagging of their eyelids makes them look tired or sleepy. Age-related ptosis is usually nothing to worry about; however, if the drooping is severe enough, it may begin to interfere with your vision.
What Causes Ptosis?
Ptosis is most common among older people. It’s part of the natural aging process. As we age, our skin loses a lot of its elasticity. Skin that was once taut and firm begins to get loose and sag. The skin that makes up your eyelids is no different. As the thin layer of skin that makes up your upper eyelids gets older, it can begin to droop.
Aging isn’t the only cause of ptosis. People of all ages, even children, can suffer from it. Ptosis can also result from:
- An eyelid tumor
- Congenital weakness in the eyelid muscle
- Damage to the ligaments and muscles in the eyelid due to trauma or disease
Ptosis can affect the lower eyelids as well. The weakened skin of the lower eyelid starts to bulge forward creating the appearance of bags beneath the eyes.
Treating Droopy Eyelid
In younger persons, the ptosis may resolve itself over time. For age or trauma-related ptosis, an oculoplastic procedure called blepharoplasty may be required to correct the problem.
The blepharoplasty procedure is also known as an “eyelid lift.” It’s basically a nip and tuck for your eyelids. In an oculoplastic blepharoplasty procedure, a section of the loose skin of the eyelid is removed and then tightened, lifting the skin of the eyelid back to its original position.
An oculoplastic blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that only takes an hour or two to complete. It can be combined with other cosmetic procedures such as a forehead and eyebrow lift. Any pain or swelling can be treated with eye drops and over-the-counter pain medications; these symptoms usually go away after a week.
Houston Ptosis Eyelid Lifts at the Berkeley Eye Center
If you live in the Houston area, Berkeley Eye Center offers a number of oculoplastic procedures to treat ptosis and other conditions that affect the appearance and function of our eyes. If your ptosis is interfering with your vision, or you don’t like the way it looks, schedule a consultation with Dr. Aida Bounama, our oculoplastic surgeon, to discuss your condition.
Contact the Berkeley Eye Center online or call us at 713-526-1600 to schedule an appointment to find out more about our blepharoplasty/upper eyelid lifts and other oculoplastic procedures.