Ptosis is a term to describe drooping eyelids, so the eyes look sleepy. Even though it doesn't hurt, ptosis can be a sign of a serious disease that can lead to blindness. To be aware of it, recognize this eyelid abnormality more deeply.
Ptosis can occur in one or both eyelids. In severe cases, drooping eyelids can cover most or all of the pupil, resulting in limited or completely obstructed vision.
Ptosis generally develops gradually from birth, although some occur suddenly. Usually, ptosis that appears suddenly leads to serious conditions related to disorders of the brain, nerves, and eye sockets.
Symptoms of Ptosis
The main symptom of ptosis is one or both upper eyelids that feel loose and interfere with vision. You can check for ptosis with the following steps:
- Look straight in front of the mirror.
- Pay attention to the pupil of the eye.
- Make sure that no part of the pupil of the eye is covered by the eyelid.
If you notice that your pupils are partially closed, you may have ptosis.
Other symptoms that people with ptosis can experience include:
- Have to tilt head back and lift chin to see perfectly
- Need to raise eyebrows to lift eyelids higher
- Experiencing complaints in the neck and head, such as neck pain or headaches, due to doing this movement too often
In addition to the symptoms above, you may also experience other symptoms related to the underlying medical disorder. For example, if the ptosis is caused by myasthenia gravis, you may experience double vision, weakness in your arms or legs, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing.
Various Causes of Ptosis
Basically, ptosis occurs when the muscle responsible for lifting the eyelid (levator muscle) weakens or stretches. This condition can occur due to various factors. One of them is a developmental disorder of the levator muscle from birth. This condition is known as congenital (congenital) ptosis.
In addition, the weakening of the eyelid muscles can also be caused by age and several medical conditions, such as:
- Myasthenia gravis, which is a disorder that causes muscle weakness gradually and completely
- Muscular dystrophy, which is a muscle disorder that can weaken eye muscle movement
- Abnormalities in the brain, including stroke, brain tumors, and brain aneurysms
- Horner's syndrome, which is caused by damage to the nerve pathways from the brain to the eye due to another medical disorder
- Infection or tumor of the eyelid or eye socket
Not only that, ptosis that occurs in adulthood can also occur when the nerves that control the levator palpebra muscle are disturbed. This is usually caused by an injury to the eye, a side effect of eye surgery, or a side effect of botox injections in the area around the eye.
Ptosis Examination and Treatment
As already explained, ptosis can be caused by a variety of things. This condition can be treated, either naturally or through medical treatment, according to the cause. The goal of ptosis treatment is to improve vision as well as appearance.
Because the treatment of ptosis must be adjusted to the cause, the ophthalmologist will first ask the patient's complaints and medical history, as well as perform an eye examination and several other examinations to determine the cause of the ptosis.
If it is found that the ptosis is caused by a disease outside the eye, the ophthalmologist may refer the patient to another specialist so that the disease causing the ptosis can be treated first.
In cases of congenital ptosis, surgery may need to be performed as early as possible to prevent more serious conditions, such as crossed eyes or lazy eye, which can cause vision to worsen during childhood.
Meanwhile, ptosis in adults will usually be treated with eyelid surgery to remove the extra skin and strengthen the eyelid muscles. In addition to surgery, patients can also be given special glasses that function to lift the eyelids so they can see better.
Ptosis on its own may not be dangerous. However, this condition can be a sign of another disease that needs to be addressed immediately. So, if you experience ptosis, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.