Big Evie Is Feeling Droopy:  Aside from surgical procedures, what’s the best way to lift eyelids that are just beginning to sag? I notice that my eyelids perk up after a nap, but I can’t sleep all of the time!

The Right Brain Lifts Her Spirits:
A saggy or droopy eyelid is also called ptosis or blepharoptosis. For most people this condition is just annoying but when the it’s severe, the lowered lid can actually interfere with your vision. There are 5 primary types of ptosis, each with it’s own cause:

1. Congenital ptosis

This affects infants and occurs when the levator muscle (the muscle that lifts the eyelid) doesn’t develop properly. Surgery may be required to prevent permanent loss of vision later in the child’s life.

2. Muscle diseases

This condition is like myasthenia gravis, progressive external ophthalmoplegia, or oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, can cause ptosis too. These conditions are much more serious and ptosis os more of a side effect than the actual problem. Seek medical help if you think you have any muscular disorder.

3. Nerve problems

These can cause ptosis because the eye muscles are controlled by nerves. Any condition that damages the nerves, like a stroke, brain tumor, brain aneurysm can result in ptosis.

4. Local eye problems

Special conditions like eye infections, tumors inside the eye socket, or even a blow to the eye, can cause ptosis as well.

5. Aponeurotic ptosis

Also called senile or age-related ptosis, aponeurotic ptosis is the most common type. The combination of gravity and aging results in a stretches the tendon-like tissue that helps the levator muscle hold the eyelid open. Hard contact lenses, history of eye infections, of trauma to the eye can increase chances of this type of ptosis.

The Beauty Brains bottom line:

Because gravity and old age are such powerful forces, The Beauty Brains think the most likely cause of your problem is the Age-Related type (We hate to call it the Senile Type!) But if your problem is severe, or if you’re having any other symptoms, you shouldn’t hesitate to see a doctor. Unfortunately, short of having eye surgery there’s really no effective treatment for droopy eyelids. Some film forming cosmetics may give you temporary respite by providing a slight tightening of the eyelid skin, but there’s no topical product that can truly reverse this condition.