Droopy Eyelids: Causes and Treatment

The most common cause of droopy eyelids is related to aging. Eyelid droop can sometimes cause a disability when one’s vision is obstructed. When this occurs, a surgical procedure called blepharoplasty may correct the problem. Another cause of closure of the eyelids is a spasm of the muscles that control lid movement. When severe enough, this involuntary condition can sometimes be treated with Botox™ injections. In some instances, people are born with a lid droop or develop it after trauma or eye surgery.

There are numerous other causes of lid droops (the medical term is ptosis), some of which signal a more serious underlying condition. One of these conditions is myasthenia gravis, and may be accompanied by double vision and other muscle weakness. Neck injuries, thyroid surgery and lung tumors can cause an eyelid droop on one side that is usually accompanied by a small pupil on the same eye. Thyroid disease can result in a condition that looks like a ptosis of one eyelid. This condition can also signal nerve damage within the brain due to stroke-like disease or tumor.