Eyelid drooping is excess sagging of the upper eyelid. The edge of the upper eyelid may be lower than it should be (ptosis) or there may be excess baggy skin in the upper eyelid (dermatochalasis).

A drooping eyelid can stay constant, worsen over time, or come and go.

Physiological explanations 

• Weakness of the muscle that raises the eyelid
• Damage to the nerves that control that muscle
• Looseness of the skin of the upper eyelids

• strained eyes (and mind) often get drooping eyelids
• the normal aging process (the most common cause)
• prolonged usage of contact lens
• Botox
• Present before birth
• the result of an injury or disease
• certain illnesses
  • Tumor around or behind the eye
  • Diabetes
  • Horner syndrome
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Stroke
  • Swelling in the eyelid, such as with a stye

When to Contact a Medical Professional

• Eyelid drooping is affecting your vision
• One eyelid suddenly droops or closes
• It is associated with other symptoms, such as double vision or pain
• New or rapidly changing eyelid drooping in adults

Traditional Medical Treatment

• In more severe cases, surgery may be needed to correct interference with vision.
• In children with ptosis, surgery may be needed to prevent “lazy eye.”
• Note: Surgery is usually successful in restoring appearance and function. One eye surgeon reports:  In my experience, ptosis surgery is very effective but rarely perfect.

Holistic way to prevent drooping eyelids (for mild cases)

Eyelids can start drooping when the nerves and muscles surrounding the eyes get weaken. Strained eyes (and mind), prolonged usage of contact lens, and age-related weakened eye muscles often result in drooping eyelids.

Doing the following exercise could prevent and help for mild cases of drooping eyelids, which are also good for your eyesight:

• Elevating both eye brows just as in surprise expression. Do this slowly without making wrinkles on forehead. This exercise tones the eye muscle.
• Hold one eye brow up while pulling the other down. Alternate with the other side. This practice splits the eye brows from the lid.
• Blink with your entire forehead without making wrinkles on forehead.
• Do ten quick light butterfly blinks. Then close your eyes and turn your head from side to side to relax. Do ten of these 2 sequential blinking and resting practices. Doing this practices in the morning strengthens the lids’ muscle tone, and you will blink naturally during the day, which is so relaxing and moistening for the eyes as well as it’s good for the drooping eye lids.
• Squeeze your eyelids tight, then open them wide as much as possible, without distorting your face or making wrinkles on forehead. Do this 4 or 5 times. This practice helps the muscle tone of the eyelids, as well as enhancing circulation through the eyeballs and strengthening the blinking muscles.

Mimi Shekoski, PhD, Natural Vision Teacher | Holistic Natural Health Doctor

References:  Davis CM, Dryden RM. Blepharoplasty. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 5, chap 74. Margaret Corbett, Help yourself to better sight.

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