Eye Health Guide · ORINvue

Ptosis (Drooping Eyelid)

Hindi / common name: Ptosis (palak latakna / jhuki hui palak)

By ORINvue, Lucknow · Updated 2026-10-14 · Information only, not medical advice

Ptosis is a drooping of the upper eyelid. It can affect one or both eyes and may be mild or severe enough to cover part of the pupil and block vision. Ptosis can be present from birth (congenital) or develop later in life, most often due to ageing. In children, a droopy lid that blocks vision can cause lazy eye, and in adults a sudden droop can signal a nerve problem that needs urgent attention.

Symptoms of ptosis

• One or both upper eyelids sitting lower than normal
• Difficulty seeing the upper part of your vision
• Raising the eyebrows or tilting the head back to see
• Tired eyes or forehead ache from constantly lifting the brows
• In children: head tilting backwards
• Drooping that worsens as the day goes on (possible sign of myasthenia gravis)

Causes and risk factors

• Ageing, which stretches the tendon of the muscle that lifts the eyelid
• Congenital weakness of the eyelid-lifting muscle
• Long-term hard contact lens wear and previous eye surgery
• Nerve problems such as third nerve palsy or Horner's syndrome
• Myasthenia gravis, a condition causing muscle weakness
• Eyelid swelling, tumours or injury

How it is diagnosed

An eye doctor or oculoplastic surgeon measures how far the eyelid droops and how well the lifting muscle works, checks vision, eye movements and pupils, and may test the field of vision. If a nerve or muscle condition is suspected, blood tests or scans may be ordered.

Treatment options

• Mild ptosis that does not affect vision may need no treatment
• Ptosis surgery to tighten or reattach the lifting muscle or tendon
• A sling procedure for severe congenital ptosis with weak muscle
• Treating the underlying cause, such as myasthenia gravis
• In children, treating any lazy eye with glasses or patching as prescribed

Glasses and lens options

For people who cannot have surgery, a 'ptosis crutch' attachment fitted to spectacles can help hold the eyelid up; this must be advised by an eye doctor. Children with ptosis need accurate glasses if they also have power or astigmatism.

Prevention and everyday care

• Age-related ptosis cannot be fully prevented
• Have a baby with a droopy eyelid checked early to prevent lazy eye
• Handle contact lenses gently and follow wear advice
• Seek help quickly for any sudden droop

Ptosis in Lucknow

Many elders in Lucknow live with a slowly drooping eyelid and assume it is just age. If it blocks vision, an eye doctor can advise whether surgery would help.

Frequently asked questions about Ptosis

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