Are you feeling tired all the time? Do your eyelids feel heavy and limp? If so, you may have a common problem that many people don’t even realize can be treated. Eyelid drooping, also known as ptosis, is a condition where the upper eyelid falls more than it should, often covering part of the pupil. Many Virginians in Dulles are struggling with it. While it may not seem like a big deal, ptosis can lead to vision problems and fatigue. It’s, therefore, crucial to find specialists in droopy eyelids in Dulles, VA. Let’s look at what could be causing your eyelids to droop.
Aging
Ptosis is a prevalent condition among seniors. As we age, specific muscles and other body functions begin to weaken. In the eyelid, this includes the tiny muscles that raise your eyelids as well as those used for blinking. These muscles may also gradually lose elasticity, which causes them to stretch out or droop over time.
This drooping can cause the eyelid to cover part of the pupil, leading to vision problems. The same holds for our other body parts as well. Muscles weaken, and joints lose their tightness over time, making us less flexible and more prone to injury.
Eye Injury
Droopy eyelids can also be a symptom of an eye injury. For example, suppose you lose your peripheral vision due to glaucoma or some other medical issue and experience pain in your eyes. In that case, the resulting stress might cause the muscles to droop. If you suffer an eye injury and cataracts or another condition that makes your eye less flexible, you could eventually experience ptosis because of the damage.
Myasthenia Gravis
One of the eyelids may begin to droop when you have myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder that causes extreme muscle weakness. This weakening occurs because the muscles and nerves aren’t communicating properly and may be due to an autoimmune response where your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in your body.
Horner Syndrome
Another factor that causes eyelid drooping is the medical condition known as Horner syndrome. This happens when your sympathetic nerve, which supplies blood to your face, neck, and upper chest, becomes damaged. It can result in a droopy eyelid, constricted pupil, or decreased sweating on one side of your body.
Eyelid Tumor
Drooping eyelids can also signify an eyelid tumor, which is often cancerous. This type of tumor is more common around the eye than most people realize, though it may just look like an overgrown eyelash or blocked oil gland at first. Lymphoma can also cause ptosis if it affects the lymph nodes near your eyes.
Thyroid Conditions
You may also experience eyelid drooping if you have a thyroid condition, such as hypothyroidism or Graves disease. In either case, your thyroid gland isn’t producing enough of certain hormones needed for your body to function correctly. When the muscles in your eyelids don’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients, they can weaken and start to droop.
If you feel tired all the time or your eyelids feel heavy and limp, it may be due to one of these common issues. Eyelid ptosis is a condition where the upper eyelid falls more than it should, often covering part of the pupil. It can lead to vision problems and fatigue that doesn’t seem like much at first, but continued exposure could lead to more significant problems in your life. So if you’re suffering from any of these conditions mentioned above, make sure to talk with your doctor about what’s going on so they can help diagnose you early.