Eyelid drooping
Definition
Eyelid drooping is excessive drooping of the upper eyelid.
See also: Drooping eyelid disease
Considerations
Drooping eyelids can stay constant, worsen over time (progressive), or come and go (intermittent). It can be one-sided or on both sides. When drooping is one-sided (unilateral), it is easy to detect by comparing the two eyelids. Drooping is more difficult to detect when it occurs on both sides, or if there is only a slight problem.
A furrowed forehead or a chin-up head position may indicate that someone is trying to see under their drooping lids. Eyelid drooping can make someone appear sleepy or tired.
Drooping lids are either present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life. A drooping eyelid is not a reason to panic, but you should report it to your doctor.
Causes
Both eyelids drooping:
- Medical problem, such as myasthenia gravis
- Migraine headaches
- Normal aging process
- Normal variation of the eyelids
One eyelid drooping:
- Growth in the eyelid, such as a stye
- Medical problem
- Nerve injury
- Normal aging process
- Normal variation
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