Eyelid drooping

Alternative names:

drooping eyelid

Definition:

Excessive drooping of the upper eyelid(s). See also drooping eyelid disease(ptosis).

Considerations:

Drooping eyelids can be constant, progressive, or intermittent. It can be one-sided or on both sides. When drooping is one-sided (unilateral), it is easy to detect by comparing the relative position of the 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 tipped-back head may indicate that someone is trying to see under their drooping lids.

Drooping lids are either congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life.

A drooping eyelid is not a reason to panic but should be reported to the doctor.

Common causes:

• normal individual variation in the lids
• normal aging process, which reduces muscle elasticity
• nerve injury
• classical migraine headache or common migraine headache
• allergic reaction
• ptosis

Note: There may be other causes of drooping eyelids. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location (one or both eyes), quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for drooping eyelids, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.