Your eyes are a vital part of how you perceive the world around you, and your eyelids are an important way of protecting them. Eyes need moisture and protection from foreign bodies such as dust, particles, and anything that can obscure your vision or do possible damage, which is precisely what your eyelids do. There are many conditions that can affect your eyelids, but one that can be potentially tied to other underlying conditions is ptosis, or pathologic droopy eyelid. Ptosis has many causes and can make you appear to look tired even when you’re wide awake. Whatever the reason you may be dealing with this condition, treatment is available. Let’s examine what ptosis is, how it affects your vision, and what treatments can help your eyelids get back to functioning normally.
Residents of Houston, Texas, looking for treatment for their droopy eyelid or other eye-related problems, can find expert help from Dr. Justina Taube and the skilled team at The Elite Wellness Resort. We offer a variety of treatments for many cosmetic and medical conditions, but we specialize in treating eye conditions with brow lifts, eyelid surgery, reconstructive surgery, and eye implant surgery.
Your eyelid is composed of many different glands and muscles that help it operate properly. The specific muscles that help your eyelid maintain their normal position and blink are your levator, frontalis, and Muller’s muscles. The levator muscle (specifically, the levator palpebrae superioris) is the muscle most affected by ptosis as it helps to lift your eyelid. If this muscle is compromised it can cause your upper eyelid to sag or droop, hence the common name for the disorder.
Ptosis can be caused by a number of different factors:
If you’re dealing with this condition, you may also experience extremely dry or watery eyes, aching around the eyes, and you people may mention that you look tired. Not all cases of ptosis are permanent, and if the cause is minor (resulting from a temporary condition or a procedure that stretched the levator muscle for a time), it may resolve on its own.
Treatment for this condition will vary with severity, with surgical and nonsurgical solutions available to manage it. Ptosis rarely causes other health issues, so many people seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. If there is an underlying condition responsible for the problem, correcting it will treat the ptosis. If the drooping is temporary, a ptosis crutch (an attachment on glasses that can hold up the eyelid) may be used until the eyelid goes back to normal.
Blepharoplasty is a surgical solution that may be used for cosmetic purposes and to correct drooping that obscures your vision. This procedure will tighten the levator muscle and remove excess skin, muscle, and fatty tissue. It can be done on either the upper or lower eyelid, and can also reduce the appearance of bags underneath the eyes.
Whether ptosis is making it harder for you to see, or you just want to look more alert, there are options available to take care of your needs. If you’re ready to see yourself differently, make an appointment with Dr. Taube and The Elite Wellness Resort today to get started.
