Ptosis refers to drooping of the upper eyelid of one or both eyes. The droop may be barely noticeable, or the lid can descend over the entire pupil. Ptosis can affect both children and adults, but usually occurs because of aging—as a result of the stretching or thinning of the muscle responsible for lifting the eyelids. Depending on how severely the eyelid droops, people with ptosis may have difficulty seeing. Sometimes people tilt their heads back to try to see under the lid or raise their eyebrows repeatedly to try to lift the eyelids. Many people with this condition are frustrated by the strain of keeping their eyes open when reading.
Surgery to correct ptosis may be necessary when the ptosis has caused the eyelid to partially or completely block vision. Ptosis surgery is a relatively routine procedure, which takes less than one hour, and will not only help patients with the condition see better, it will also improve the appearance of their eyes. Eyelid ptosis in children often requires aggressive management in order to allow vision to develop normally.
