A droopy eyelid, called ptosis, does not usually cause a threat to the health of the eye, but some people may choose to have surgery to improve the symptoms. During surgery, a surgeon will raise the muscles in the eyelids, which will lift the eyelid itself. Before pursuing surgery, a patient should consider all options and discuss the condition with her eye doctor. Knowing the symptoms of a droopy eyelid will help with the decision-making process.
Appearance
A person with ptosis will often notice the droopy eyelid before any other symptom of the condition. The eyelid may droop low, down towards the pupil, causing the eyes to appear tired. The droopiness will often affect the way a person feels about her appearance. As such, many people with a droopy eyelid elect to have surgical repair simply to improve their appearance, says the Scheie Eye Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. Some people experience lid drooping in one eye, while others will have drooping in both eyes.
Vision
The droopy eyelid will often block out a portion of the pupil, and this will cause a loss of the upper vision, says the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In severe cases, the muscles in the eyelid may have limited function, resulting in the inability to lift the eyelid at all. Some people find that they have to use a finger, or even tape, to keep the eyelid lifted enough for adequate vision. A person with ptosis who spends a great deal of time reading or performing small, detailed tasks may find that her eyes feel tired. This often results from eye strain. If ptosis causes a documented disruption in vision, an eye surgeon will likely recommend repairing the lid muscles.
Watery Eyes
One function of the eyelids is to keep the surface of the eye lubricated with natural tears. If the eyelid does not function properly, the eye may need to produce extra tears in response to dry eye. As a result, people with ptosis may experience excessive tearing, says MedlinePlus. Nonprescription artificial tears may help keep the eyes lubricated and moist, although frequent episodes of watery eyes may occur until the patient undergoes surgical repair.
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