A drooping eyelid is called Ptosis or Blepharoptosis. 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 thus interfering vision. This condition may be present at birth or may develop over decades. At times, Ptosis can be an isolated problem that may change one's appearance without affecting health or vision. Whereas, in other cases, it could be a warning sign for a more serious condition affecting muscles, nerves, the brain or the eye socket. A common cause of Ptosis is Horney syndrome which is a form of nerve damage that occurs in the face and eyes and is a result of an underlying condition. Other chronic conditions such as diabetes and Myasthenia Gravis may also increase one's risk of developing Ptosis. Cluster headaches can also cause Ptosis. The symptoms of Ptosis are visible drooping of the eyelid. You may notice symptoms in one or both the eyes. Ptosis can affect children and adults at any stage of life. Contact your doctor immediately if you have a drooping eyelid that: • Is accompanied by double vision, weakness in arms and legs, weakness of your facial muscles, severe headache, and difficulty speaking and swallowing • It develops suddenly over a period of a few hours or few days • Is accompanied by symptoms of an eye infection as well as redness and pain in the eye, bulging eye, fever, or difficulty moving the eye • Has begun to droop with age and is interfering with vision or affects appearance Contact your doctor if your baby's eyelids look uneven, one eye appears to be smaller than the other eye or if your child seems to hold his or her head in an abnormal posture in order to see.
