How is Ptosis of the Eye Caused?

At Ticho Eye Associates, we're here to help you achieve and maintain optimal eye health. Overall, eye health can help prevent future problems from arising, and it can also help you enjoy clear, crisp vision throughout your daily life.

However, not everything can be averted, as is the case of age-related disorders that affect both the eye itself and the surrounding, supporting structures. In such cases, we offer effective and varied treatment options, like those for treating ptosis, a drooping of the eyelids that can impair one's vision and make one look older and more tired.

If you find yourself staring at your droopy eyelids in the mirror, don't hesitate to contact us or come see us in Chicago Ridge, IL, Tinley Park, IL, or Munster, IN. Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Benjamin Ticho would love to explore your options for a brighter future.

What is ptosis?

Ptosis of the eye gives a scientifically exotic-sounding impression, though it's much simpler than its name suggests. It's a drooping of the eyelids caused by the aging process, which also causes disorders like cataracts and presbyopia. The latter two occur in the eye itself, but aging can adversely impact the supporting areas as well. And when one's skin loses its youthful flexibility and elasticity, it sags. It's not only an aesthetic concern that makes one appear older, less energetic, and sleepy; ptosis may become a functional concern.

Excessive drooping can result in impaired vision, as the eyelids begin covering the eyes and obscuring one's sight. Fortunately, Ticho Eye Associates is proud to offer top-notch treatments tailored to your needs. Here's another positive: "functional ptosis" cases, in which vision is partially or significantly blocked, are generally covered by health insurance.

What causes ptosis

Ptosis may occur in one or both eyelids, and it may manifest, or be exacerbated by, numerous factors. The most common is time, leading to involutional ptosis, which occurs as the rolling years deteriorate various tissues, including the levator tendon that elevates (explaining its name) the upper eyelid and holds its position.

There's also a genetic component, as sufferers may be predisposed to congenital ptosis, resulting from abnormalities in the levator muscle that lifts the lid. If the nerves that control the muscles of the outer eye (rather than the muscles themselves) are faulty and cannot send proper nerve signals, this is called neurogenic ptosis. Alternatively, other cases may be due to excessive use of contact lenses, physical trauma, multiple sclerosis, or other conditions.

No matter the cause, we have a full spectrum of treatment options to help you see clearly and regain more youthful aesthetics. In the past, patients had to rely on glasses that propped up the eyelid or even taping their eyelids – luckily, these are all outdated strategies replaced with easier, more effective alternatives.

The most efficient and effective approaches are surgical. They focus on either repositioning or altering the muscles that control the eyelid. If the muscles are especially weak, we may bypass them and attach the eyelid directly to the stronger forehead muscle. We may also alter the eyelid itself, potentially shortening it by removing several layers.

Contact us today to see (and look) better tomorrow

Your optimal solution depends on many aspects, including your physiological details, medical status, and lifestyle factors. And we'll be able to give you more specific information when you see us in Chicago Ridge, IL, Tinley Park, IL, or Munster, IN for a comprehensive consultation.

Dr. Benjamin Ticho is a board-certified ophthalmologist who has helped many patients with ptosis and other concerns. To join the many satisfied individuals who can see (and look) better, get in touch with us today at Ticho Eye Associates.