What is Ptosis and What Can You Do about It?

Drooping eyelids, also known as ptosis, can cause a range of issues, from affecting appearance to negatively impacting your ability to use your peripheral vision. Ophthalmologist Dr. Mark Baskin sees many patients with ptosis in his Encino, California office and can perform specialized surgery to repair drooping eyelids and restore unobstructed vision. 

What is Ptosis?

Ptosis is a range of conditions that result in a drooping upper eyelid. Ptosis can be very mild, not much more than an occasional twitch. It also may be controllable, meaning if you concentrate hard enough, you can open your eyelid fully. Alternatively, ptosis can mean your upper eyelid stays perpetually at half-mast, interfering with your vision. Unilateral ptosis affects one eyelid, while bilateral ptosis affects both eyelids. Some people have “upside-down ptosis,” where their lower lid creeps up over their eye from below.

Signs Of Ptosis

Signs of ptosis are primarily the noticeable sagging of the eyelids, but you may also have constant watering of your eyes, problems closing your eyes or blinking, and even decreased or blurry vision. If you have ptosis and it’s so bad your vision is partially blocked, you need to quickly seek out care to avoid losing vision in the affected eye from disuse. You also need to seek medical attention if you notice other problems, like pupils that don’t dilate evenly, or excessive dryness.

Who gets Ptosis?

Ptosis can show up after an accident or injury to the eye, appear after eye surgery, present in newborns, or slowly creep up as you age. If you have diabetes, you are at higher risk, and you may also have ptosis if you have a more serious disorder like Myasthenia gravis or Horner syndrome. Dr. Baskin can check for these more serious diseases and refer you to the appropriate specialist if needed.  

Ptosis Treatment

Dr. Baskin can perform eyelid surgery to repair your drooping eyelids by slightly tightening the muscles at the corners of your eyes to allow the lids to stay open properly. This eye surgery takes only an hour or two, and you can be driven home afterwards to recover. 

You can use ice to block any discomfort after surgery, since cold quiets the affected nerves. Once you have fully healed, you should have normally functioning eyelids, and any additional vision problems can then be addressed.  

If you struggle with ptosis and would like to discuss treatment, call our office at 818-805-2224 or book an appointment online day.