Drooping Of Upper Eyelid. What Could Be The Reason?

Posted on Thu, 10 Oct 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 10 Oct 2013 Answered on

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : what can cause my vision to seem like my eyelid has closed half-way down....no vision, just a darkened area, and the lower are of my vision stayed normal. This occurred while I was driving, wearing sunglasses, and lasted for three to four minutes, and then disappeared. My first thought was something was causing my right eyelid to droop, and then my left also. It seems to lower to about the mid-point, remain there until clearing up.

Answered by Dr. Roopa Hiremath (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Ptosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to Health care magic.

Drooping of upper eyelid is medically termed as ptosis which has many causes,the most common being age related weakening of muscle elevating the eyelid.

This can also be seen when the person is very tired and has not had enough sleep.

Neurological disorders like third cranial nerve palsy and myasthenia gravis are the less common causes.

I suggest a detailed examination by an ophthalmologist to rule out causes for this sudden drooping of eyelids.

If ptosis is confirmed then surgical repair options are available which involve tightening of levator muscle to elevate the eyelid.

I hope I have cleared your doubts.

Please do not hesitate to get back if any more clarifications.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E