droppy eyelid

For those suffering from  a drooping eyelid, also known as  known as ptosis or blepharoptosis, this condition can cause low self-esteem and in more serious cases, can signal severe health problems relating to muscles, nerves, brain or eye socket.

Ptosis can affect one or both eyes, where the border of the upper eyelid falls to a lower position than normal. In severe cases, the drooping eyelid can cover all or part of the pupil and interfere with vision.

Symptoms of Ptosis

Ptosis may be present at birth or it may develop gradually over decades. Symptoms of ptosis include difficulty keeping your eyes open, eyestrain, and eyebrow aching from the increased effort needed to raise your eyelids, and fatigue, especially when reading. In severe cases, it may be necessary to tilt your head back or lift the eyelid with a finger in order to see out from under the drooping eyelid(s)

Listed below are the main causes of this condition

At Birth – Congenital ptosis

Developmental problems are associated with congenital Ptosis where an infant is born with the condition. Surgery is often required if the drooping eyelid obscures part of the baby’s visual fields as to avoid permanent loss of vision.

Ageing – Aponeurotic ptosis

Aging is the most common cause of ptosis that is not present at birth. Long-term effects of gravity and aging cause stretching of a wide, tendon-like tissue that helps the levator muscle elevate the eyelid. Although both eyes usually are affected, drooping may be worse in one eye.

Muscle diseases

Ptosis can be caused by an inherited muscle disease called oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy which that affects eye motion and sometimes other muscle symptoms that involve the throat or heart muscle.

Nerve problems

Our eye muscles are controlled by nerves from our brain. Conditions that harm the brain or the cranial nerves can sometimes cause ptosis with effects such as stroke, brain tumour, and brain aneurysm.

Horner’s syndrome

Ptosis can also be caused by Horner’s syndrome which creates an abnormally small pupil and loss of the ability to produce sweat on parts of the face. In more serious cases, Horner’s syndrome can be caused by a cancerous tumour located at the top portion of the lungs.

Eye problems

In some cases, an eyelid droops because of an infection or tumour of the eyelid, a tumour inside the eye socket, or a blow to the eye.

Correct your droopy eyelid in just one visit to Harley Place Day Surgery

At Harley Place Day Surgery we can help correct Ptosis by surgically raising your eyelid, and is designed to tighten the levator muscle by shortening it to allow the muscle to sufficiently elevate the eyelid.

Tell me about the process….

The eyelid is often carefully compared to the opposite eye in terms of lid height. In some cases where the levator is exceptionally weak the eyelid is attached to the brow muscles, with a ‘levator sling’, allowing the forehead to elevate the lid.

Ptosis surgery is usually completed under general anaesthesia in infants and young children and under local anaesthesia with sedation in adults. Ptosis surgery in adults is performed here at our surgery on a same day outpatient basis.

Experience and compassionate care at Harley Place Day Surgery

Our modern, comfortable practice, located in the heart of Bondi Junction is fully equipped with the latest technology to provide the most pleasing results possible, at the least inconvenience to you. At the experienced hands of Dr Peter Martin you will benefit from the latest developments in technology. With over 30 years medical experience specialising as an ophthalmologist, Dr Martin lectures and trains doctors in the art of Eye Surgery, and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of learning. This is so you can receive the right treatment, in complete comfort, to produce the best result.

 

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