Vision help for ptosis, drooping eyelids at Sight & Sound

Drooping eyelids or blepharoptosis, most often referred to as ptosis, is a condition of the upper eyelid, where the eyelid rests in a lower position to the eye, in a normal resting gaze. This can occur with one or both eyelids.

There are a few causes of this condition, which can be either congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life. Acquiring ptosis is also more common as you get older.

Some causes of ptosis are:

• Ageing process of the connective tissue to the muscles responsible for retracting the upper eyelid
• Damage to the nervous system
• Blepharochalasis, or excessive swelling of the eyelid, or tumours of the eyelid
• Direct or indirect trauma
• Wearing hard contact lenses (20 times the increased risk)

What are the treatment options for ptosis?

Not only is it important to address the physical problems caused by ptosis, but it can often affect patients’ mental health as well, where some might be concerned about the effects on their appearance and experience anxiety. While surgery on the drooping eyelid/s is a common treatment option, there are other non-surgical options for those who don’t want to go down this route.

One of the main options to help keep the eyelids open is ptosis clips or props. This is a specialised clip, available in different styles, that can be fitted to most spectacle frames and acts as an eyelid prop.

At Sight & Sound, we can discuss which styles and options are best suited for your individual needs.

We’re here to help and support you

We get patients referred to us for help with ptosis from the local hospital and surrounding area, as it is a condition that needs specialised support, from a qualified optician.

With our colleague Sue, Dispensing Optician, FBDO, qualified to see and support patients with this condition, we’re pleased to be able to offer the required help needed in our Bognor Regis practice, such as fitting of specialist ptosis props on to spectacle frames.

If you’re concerned or struggling with your vision, prescription or glasses due to having this condition, please call us on 01243 823144m, we’re here to help and support you.

Source – ‘Dispensing Optics’ magazine, issue August 2023.

Image source for ptosis props – images kindly provided by Spec Care Ltd.