Acquired Ptosis
What is Acquired Ptosis?
Ptosis is the medical term for drooping of the upper eyelid, a condition that may affect one or both eyes. Ptosis which occurs in early childhood is called congenital. One which presents itself later is an ‘Acquired Ptosis’. In severe cases, it may be necessary to tilt the head back or lift the eyelid with a finger in order to see out from under the drooping lid.
What is the cause of Acquired Ptosis?
In most cases, an acquired drooping of the upper eyelid results from aging. It can also occur due to contact lens wear and appear secondary to inflammation which causes eyelid swelling. Typically the tendon which attaches the ‘lifting’ muscle to the eyelid is stretched, causing the eyelid to droop. Occasionally, the condition can also result from other general conditions such as Myasthenia Gravis.