Eyelid ptosis, also called droopy eyelid or simply ptosis, is a condition in which the eyelid falls or droops over the eye. It can affect children and adults and may happen in one or both eyelids. In some cases, the drooping of the eyelid can block or limit normal vision.
Ptosis eyelid surgery or ptosis treatment without surgery is available from the best doctor for ptosis surgery in New York City at Eye Physicians in Downtown Manhattan. The optometrists offer a full range of eye health services and are committed to keeping your eyes healthy. They offer a full range of comprehensive eye care and pediatric eye care near me in NYC.
Droopy eyelid may be present at birth, which is known as congenital ptosis. This condition is caused by problems with the development of the muscle that lifts the eyelid, which is known as the levator muscle. Ptosis that develops later in life is called acquired ptosis, which happens because of weakening of the levator muscle or a separation of this muscle from your eyelid.
Other causes include:
The aging process can gradually cause many of the body’s muscles to weaken, including the levator muscles of the eyelid, leading to ptosis later in life. Eye muscles may stretch and weaken because of excessive rubbing of the eyes. Eyelid ptosis may develop after an eye procedure such as cataract surgery and is sometimes a complication of Botox injections.
An eyelid that droops lower than usual is the most recognizable sign of ptosis. The droop may be slight, or the entire pupil may be covered, and the affected eye may appear smaller than normal.
Other symptoms of ptosis include:
The more the eyelid droops, the more likely vision may be affected. An individual with ptosis may repeatedly raise their eyebrows in an effort to lift the eyelid. A droopy eyelid doesn’t usually cause pain, but individuals with this condition may feel it has a negative effect on their appearance, which may reduce self-confidence.
Your NYC ophthalmologist may diagnose ptosis from the appearance of your eyelid during a routine eye exam. It’s usually more difficult to diagnose based solely on appearance if both eyelids are affected. A slit-lamp test may be performed, which allows your eye doctor to examine the structure of the eye using a high intensity light source. Your visual field is also tested which measures how far up and down and to each side your eye sees without moving.
Droopy eyelid treatment depends on the severity of the condition and whether vision is being affected. If the droopy eyelid isn’t bothersome, ptosis treatment may not be needed. If vision is being affected, ptosis treatment without surgery is usually tried before considering surgery.
Options for non-surgical droopy eyelid treatment include:
Untreated ptosis can lead to complications such as a lazy eye. It can also change the shape of your eye, which is known as astigmatism, which may distort your vision. Habitually tilting the head back to see can lead to neck problems.
If droopy eyelid is caused by an underlying condition such as thyroid disease or myasthenia gravis, the treatment plan is usually directed at the underlying condition. When nonsurgical droopy eyelid treatments are unsuccessful, droopy eyelid surgery may be considered. For children with ptosis, surgery may be recommended to try to prevent lazy eye or vision loss.
Ptosis eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to go home the same day.
Things to expect when you have eyelid ptosis surgery include:
Another approach to ptosis surgery is to tighten the muscles from underneath the eyelid. If this approach is used, there’s no incision and stitches aren’t needed. After surgery, your Manhattan ophthalmologist provides instructions on how to care for your eye as you recover. An appointment is scheduled to follow-up within a few days after surgery.
If you or your child has a droopy eyelid that’s not affecting vision, treatment may not be needed.
However, seek expert medical care if you have symptoms such as:
Droopy eye doesn’t usually get worse in children with congenital ptosis, but affected children should continue to visit a pediatric eye specialist annually to make sure no vision problems develop because of this condition. When ptosis is age-related, there’s a good chance the drooping may get worse as time passes.
Whenever a droopy eyelid affects vision, it’s important to get a comprehensive eye exam from a skilled ophthalmologist. If you’re looking for the best droopy eyelid treatment or the best doctor for ptosis surgery, contact the team of eye specialists at Eye Physicians. They’re dedicated to providing top quality care and 24/7 on-call support after procedures.
My name is Dr. William Hogue, and I am an optometrist dedicated to providing top-quality professional eye care. I'm trained in treating various ocular conditions, including dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, and retinal issues.
I earned my chemistry degree summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee. Subsequently, I obtained my Doctorate of Optometry (OD) and Master of Science (MS) from the New England College of Optometry. Following graduation, I completed an ocular disease residency at the State University of New York’s College of Optometry. Beyond my clinical work, I have also been a supporter of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH).
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110 Lafayette St, Suite 503
New York, NY 10013
(212) 292-4814
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