Age 22 - Can Drooping Left Eyelid Be Fixed?

Question

My left eye lid droops low when I'm tired and I want to get it fixed. I'm not sure whether it can be fixed or not because it's not a constant problem. Can it? And if so, what would the procedure be called?

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

Hard to say without photos or exam.  It sounds by your description that you may have drooping, (ptosis) of the eyelid. This can be fixed in most cases.  Each patient is different.  Please see a board certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, or oculoplastic surgeon. they will listen to you and do an exam to see if you need a standard blepharoplasty, or an operation to raise your eyelid.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD · Answer

Droopy eyelids can be repaired simultaneously with blepharoplasty. I do this frequently and can be done at the same time. This is called an “eyelid ptosis repair”.

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, your eyelid(s) can be corrected or improved with surgery.  It is called ptosis surgery, under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.  I recommend a consultation with an oculoplastic surgeon.

	Dr Taban

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

The condition is called ptosis. Fellowship trained oculoplastic surgeons are the best trained surgeons for fixing these issues. Your best bet is to find a surgeon who is both a board certified ophthalmologist and a fellowship trained oculoplastic surgeon. The American Society for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery maintains a geographic directory on their website that will help you find a highly qualified surgeon in your area: ASOPRS.org.

Gabriel Del Corral, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.
it is very difficult to assess someone's eyes/eyelids  based only on
photographs.  it is important that you seek consultation with a board
certified plastic surgeon for a complete examination of the periocular area.
 It is possible that you have eyelid ptosis (droopy eyelid)  and a
combination of this repair with some other kind of lower eyelid support
procedure (canthopexy/plasty)  may give you the result  you're
looking for. Please make sure you do your homework and find the right person
who was then many of these procedures before undertaking this surgery.
Best of Luck !

Damon B. Chandler, MD · Answer

Ptosis ("toe-sis") is a drooping of the eyelid due to a weakness of the eyelid muscle. Ptosis surgery is very technical and requires great precision to have a natural, beautiful outcome.  This is one of the most common surgeries I perform and my patients are back functioning fully in just a few days.  You did not post any photographs so I cannot comment on your particular case or if you even have this condition! Also, since you mentioned that its "not a constant problem" you need to be evaluated to make sure you don't have any other medical causes for your condition. You need an in-person consultation with a board-certified, fellowship-trained Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in ptosis repair and eyelid surgery. Please avoid any doctors that do eyelid surgery part time, they cannot help you. I wish you well with your surgery! 
Damon B. Chandler, MD
Harvard-Penn Trained Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon

Mahsa A. Sohrab, MD · Answer

Changing eyelid position, particularly when worse at the end of the day or after feeling tired, is concerning for a neuromuscular problem. Although you are young, I would suggest seeing an oculoplastic surgeon for a full evaluation and in-office testing. He or she may recommend obtaining bloodwork or having you see a neurologist based on their assessment. If the eyelid position is lower than average at baseline, and in the absence of other conditions, you would be a candidate for ptosis repair, which can be done in several different ways.

Sean Paul, MD · Answer

Droopy lids (one side worse than the other) when someone is tired may have a few different causes.  You may have some mild eyelid asymmetry that is more visible when you are tired or unable to control as well when as when you are awake. I would get a good history of you constant or intermittent nature of the issue and see an oculoplastics specialist for an evaluation if you are interested in surgical repair (ptosis repair).

Adam J. Cohen, MD · Answer

A droopy (ptotic) eyelid that occurs when tired could be a sign of an underlying condition called myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis is a condition that results in weakening of muscles, especially when tired. Since the eyelid muscles are among the most active in the body, ptosis that occurs when tired can be the first sign of myasthenia gravis.

	Once this condition has been ruled out , a variety of outpatient procedures that are safe and highly successful are available to repair a drooping eyelid.

Patrick Boulos, MD · Answer

A droopy eyelid can be cosmetically displeasing and may also reduce your field of vision. The 2 most common causes in your age group are either a detached eyelid muscle (following chronic use of contact lenses, trauma or surgery) or a congenital droopy eyelid (which means you were born with it). These causes are not dangerous and require no further investigation. However, I suggest consulting an ophthalmologist to help determine the exact origin of your problem because, in rare cases, a droopy eyelid may be a manifestation of a more serious disease, such as certain neurological or muscular conditions that can lead to other, sometimes life threatening complications. Thankfully, this is rare. Once the cause has been established, the droopy eyelid can be treated with either medication or more commonly, surgery. The final result can often be spectacular. Good luck!

Age 22 - Can Drooping Left Eyelid Be Fixed?

Answers (17)

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