Have you noticed that your upper eyelid is interfering with your ability to see clearly? Does it appear as though your child’s eye droops, or that your child has to tilt their head back to see? The problem may be a condition called ptosis. Our ophthalmologists at Eye Care Specialists of Oklahoma understand and treat ptosis. If you are looking for help with this condition in Edmond, Lawton, or Midwest City, contact our team today to schedule a consultation.
The Causes of Ptosis
Ptosis has several causes. Diagnosis of ptosis involves a close examination of your eyes and often involves taking measurements of your eyes. The ophthalmologist will also assess the strength of the muscles in and around your eyelids. In some cases, ptosis is brought on by age. The tendons surrounding the eye can become weaker with time or with trauma. For example, an injury may lead to weakened muscles.
Health conditions can also cause the muscles to weaken around the eyes. Diabetes is a leading cause of this issue. In addition to treating ptosis, our eye doctor will also recommend treating the health condition to prevent the symptoms from worsening. Some people are born with ptosis, perhaps due to a neurological disorder.
Ptosis Risk Factors
A variety of risk factors are associated with ptosis. Those at higher risk for drooping eyelids include people that wear contact lenses and those who rub their eyes a lot. People with certain health conditions, like myasthenia gravis and Horner’s syndrome, are also at higher risk.
Ptosis Treatments
Treatment for ptosis is important for functional and cosmetic reasons. When your eyelid droops over your eye, you may have a difficult time seeing. This can also cause issues with confidence and self-esteem. Our eye doctors can address both of these concerns.
In some cases, ptosis treatment requires surgery. The doctor will tighten the muscles surrounding the eyelid, reducing the droopiness of the upper eyelid. If the muscles are especially weak, the surgeon can attach the lid so that it relies on the strength of the forehead muscle. Strengthening these muscles can also be helpful. Our eye doctors will work with you to strengthen the muscles around your eyes safely with exercises.