Why do my eyelids droop? The causes

Ageing, hereditary predisposition, and sometimes the eyelid muscle or the eyebrow. Eye surgeon Dr Dulaimi explains why eyelids start to droop.


At a glance

  • The main causes are ageing and hereditary predisposition; smoking and a great deal of UV exposure, for example from sunbeds, can accelerate skin laxity; sometimes a medical condition plays a role.
  • Usually it is excess skin (dermatochalasis): the skin hangs over the lash line; sometimes the upper eyelid sits too low because of a weakened eyelid muscle (ptosis), or the brow has dropped.
  • Associated complaints: a tired look, a heavy feeling on the eyelids, headaches from raising the eyebrows, watery eyes and a limited field of vision; the eye surgeon determines the cause during a free introductory consultation.

Watch the video: the causes of drooping eyelids, explained by Dr Dulaimi

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What you hear in the video

Why are my eyelids drooping? It often starts gradually. In photos, someone looks back at you who seems more tired than you feel. People ask whether you slept badly, while you slept perfectly well. So what's going on?

The main causes are ageing and hereditary predisposition. The skin of the upper eyelid is the thinnest skin of the body. Over the years it loses elasticity and stretches, until the excess skin hangs over the lash line. In some families drooping eyelids appear as early as the age of forty. Smoking and

Drooping eyelids often cause more than a tired look. A heavy feeling on the eyelids, especially at the end of the day. Headaches, because you unconsciously raise your eyebrows to relieve the eyelids. Watery or irritated eyes. And sometimes a limited field of vision, which you notice when reading, driving and watching television.

Important to know: not every drooping eyelid has the same cause. Usually it is the skin: an excess of skin, dermatochalasis. Sometimes it is the muscle that lifts the eyelid: ptosis. And sometimes the eyelid is innocent and the brow has dropped, pushing the eyelid skin down. These three can look alike, and they also occur in combination.

What you see in the mirror is not always what is going on medically. That is why at Looks Clinics we always look at the cause first, from an ophthalmic point of view. Would you like to know what is going on in your case? You are welcome for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Every recovery is personal. All risks are discussed with you during the consultation.

The causes

The main causes are ageing and hereditary predisposition. The skin of the upper eyelid is the thinnest skin of the body; over the years it loses elasticity and stretches, until the excess skin hangs over the lash line. In some families drooping eyelids appear as early as the age of forty. Smoking and

The complaints

Drooping eyelids can give your face a tired or older appearance. Physical complaints can occur as well, such as:

  • tired eyes or a tired look
  • a restricted field of vision
  • difficulty wearing glasses
  • difficulty reading
  • headaches, because you unconsciously raise your eyebrows to relieve the eyelids
  • watery eyes

A heavy feeling on the eyelids is noticed mostly at the end of the day; a limited field of vision when reading, driving and watching television.

Skin, muscle or brow: three causes that look alike

Not every drooping eyelid has the same cause.

  1. Usually it is the skin: an excess of skin, dermatochalasis. The skin hangs over the lash line, while the eyelid margin itself is at its normal height. The treatment is the upper eyelid correction.
  2. Sometimes it is the muscle that lifts the eyelid: ptosis, an upper eyelid that sits too low because of a weakened eyelid muscle. This requires a ptosis correction, a fundamentally different procedure.
  3. And sometimes the eyelid is innocent and the brow has dropped, pushing the eyelid skin down. The treatment then starts with the brow position: the direct brow lift.

These three can look alike and also occur in combination. The difference between excess skin and ptosis is explained in a separate video.

The cause first

What you see in the mirror is not always what is going on medically. That is why at Looks Clinics we always look at the cause first, from an ophthalmic point of view: our eye surgeons are BIG-registered (Dutch healthcare register) and work according to the guidelines of the Dutch Ophthalmological Society and the Dutch Orbital Society. During the introductory consultation one of our doctors performs a facial analysis and discusses with you whether a treatment is worthwhile, and if so which one. The introductory consultation is free of charge and without obligation, in Zwolle, Amsterdam or at our intake location in Rotterdam; consultations are available in English.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my eyelids drooping? The causes

The main causes are ageing and hereditary predisposition; smoking and a great deal of UV exposure, for example from sunbeds, can accelerate skin laxity; sometimes a medical condition plays a role. Usually it is excess skin (dermatochalasis): the skin hangs over the lash line; sometimes the upper eyel

What complaints are associated with drooping eyelids?

The symptoms associated with drooping eyelids vary from person to person, but in general these are the most common symptoms: a heavy feeling in the upper eyelid, tired eyes, watery eyes, headaches, a restricted field of vision and difficulty opening the eyes.

Is an eyelid correction suitable for me?

To determine whether an eyelid correction is suitable for you, a free and no-obligation consultation takes place first. This can be done at our clinic in Zwolle or Amsterdam, at our intake location in Rotterdam, or online. During this appointment, one of our doctors performs a facial analysis to determine whether you are suitable for eyelid surgery. You also receive full information regarding the procedure, the risks and the costs. This way, you know exactly what to expect beforehand.

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