Drooping Eyelid – How to Correct This Condition

Sometimes, people diagnose themselves with “drooping eyelids” and initially look for non-invasive ways to correct the issue. These usually include makeup tricks or a more intensive skincare routine aimed at firming and tightening the delicate skin around the eyes. Unfortunately, if the initial self-diagnosis is correct, the problem will likely worsen with age and may eventually require professional correction.
But how can you tell if you’re truly dealing with drooping eyelids? While it’s always best to consult a specialist, in most cases, this particular eye structure is quite distinctive and relatively easy to recognize.

A drooping eyelid occurs when the skin fold beneath the brow begins to sag over the mobile part of the upper eyelid. In more advanced cases, it may even partially cover the eyeball. Excess skin can also affect the lower eyelids. Drooping can occur in one or both eyes and affects people of all genders.
Treatment strategies for drooping eyelids depend on several factors, including the severity of the condition, its impact on the patient’s health, contraindications to certain treatment options, and, most importantly, the underlying cause of the drooping.

The most common cause of drooping eyelids is the natural aging process, which leads to skin laxity. The skin on the eyelids is extremely thin and delicate, with minimal underlying fat tissue, making signs of aging appear much sooner in this area compared to other parts of the face or body.
However, it’s not just aging that brings patients to consultations for drooping eyelids. In fact, the causes can be highly varied and not necessarily age-related. These include:

• Genetic factors – Certain eye structures and a predisposition to drooping eyelids can be inherited, becoming more pronounced with age.
• Facial or oculomotor nerve damage – Drooping eyelids are a common consequence of strokes or injuries affecting nerves responsible for muscle function around the eyes.
• Muscle paralysis – Especially involving the muscles responsible for moving the eyeballs.
• Neurological damage – Brain injuries can impact eyelid function.
• Cancer-related conditions – Some cancers can contribute to eyelid drooping.
• Advanced diabetes – Diabetes can lead to nerve damage that affects the eyelids.
• Trauma – Mechanical injuries, accidents, or complications from poorly performed surgeries.

In most cases, blepharoplasty—surgical eyelid correction—is the most effective method for addressing drooping eyelids, both aesthetically and medically. However, given the diverse potential causes, it’s important to note that not every case qualifies for surgical intervention.
Identifying the root cause of the drooping is crucial, as it may sometimes rule out blepharoplasty as a treatment option.

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, effectively reduces excess sagging skin that can cause both aesthetic discomfort and, in some cases, pose a risk to eye health. The procedure involves surgically removing excess skin through incisions made along the natural folds of the eyelids.
A patient’s eligibility for blepharoplasty is determined by a plastic surgeon or ophthalmologist following a detailed consultation and specific diagnostic tests, including a complete blood count, blood sugar level, anti-HCV antibodies, clotting function assessment, and HIV screening.

The most common indications for blepharoplasty include:

• Presence of ptosis (drooping eyelids);
• Progressive vision impairment due to restricted visual fields;
• Abnormalities of the orbicularis oculi muscle or the presence of a fat hernia;
• Dysfunction of the levator muscle responsible for lifting the upper eyelid;
• Eyelid or brow asymmetry;
• Aesthetic rejuvenation of the eye area;
• Reduction of under-eye bags and dark circles.

At the Anti-Aging Clinic, blepharoplasty is performed using the certified Loktal device, which promotes faster wound healing and significantly minimizes scarring.
Despite the advanced techniques used, it is important to remember that eyelid surgery is a medical procedure performed under local anesthesia, and requires proper post-operative care. Maintaining good hygiene, supporting the healing process, and minimizing the risk of noticeable scars are essential.

Following blepharoplasty, patients are advised to apply cold compresses around the eyes and use specialized eye drops prescribed by the surgeon or ophthalmologist.
It is crucial to avoid wearing eye makeup and contact lenses for at least seven days—preferably longer. About a week after surgery, stitches are typically removed. Even after the initial healing phase, patients should avoid sun exposure and refrain from activities that could increase blood flow around the eyes.

In some cases, surgical blepharoplasty may not be possible. In others, less invasive methods can produce satisfying results.
One popular alternative is Plasma IQ eyelid lifting. This technique precisely targets the skin, stimulating natural collagen and elastin production by creating hundreds of tiny thermal micro-injuries. As the skin heals, the eye area becomes noticeably firmer and more youthful. The procedure itself is minimally uncomfortable for the patient.

Another non-surgical option is a PDO thread brow lift. Polydioxanone (PDO) threads, which are biocompatible and bioabsorbable, have long been used in various fields of medicine. PDO threads lift the eyelids and shape the brow arch while stimulating the tissues to produce new collagen and elastin fibers, resulting in gradual rejuvenation of the eye area.

Ultimately, the choice of the best treatment for drooping eyelids should always be made by a qualified physician, based on expert knowledge and clinical experience.