Author:  Maria Alfano-Huggins

Droopy eyelids are a common cosmetic concern for many people. As we age, the skin around our eyes loses elasticity and can begin to sag, causing our eyelids to droop. This can make us look tired, and aged, and may even affect our vision. While surgery is an option for some, there are also exercises that can help improve the appearance of droopy eyelids.

Droopy Eyelid Exercises: How to Lift Your Lids Naturally

One exercise that can help is called the eyelid lift. To do this exercise, start by placing your index fingers on the outer corners of your eyes. Gently lift your eyelids up and hold for a few seconds before releasing. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times a day. This helps strengthen the muscles around your eyes and improve the appearance of droopy eyelids. Another exercise is the eyebrow lift. Lift your eyebrows up and hold them for a few seconds before releasing them. This exercise can help lift the skin around your eyes and improve the appearance of droopy eyelids.

Commonly Asked Questions

Why Do I Have Droopy Eyelids

Some of the most common causes of droopy eyelids:

• Aging: As people age, the skin on their eyelids loses elasticity and stretches, which can cause the eyelids to droop. Additionally, the muscles that lift the eyelids can weaken over time, further contributing to the problem.
• Nerves: The nerves that control the muscles in the eyelids can be damaged or affected by medical conditions. For example, a stroke or diabetes can damage the nerves and lead to ptosis.
• Injury: Trauma to the eye or eyelid can cause damage to the muscles or nerves that control the eyelid.
• Weakness: The muscles that lift the eyelids may simply be weak, which can cause the eyelids to droop.
• Sleep: Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep can cause the muscles in the body to become weak, including the muscles that lift the eyelids.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune condition that affects the muscles, can cause ptosis.
• Eye conditions: Certain eye conditions, such as amblyopia (lazy eye), glaucoma, and tumors, can cause droopy eyelids.

 

When Should I worry ABout my Droopy Eyelids?

Ptosis can cause a range of symptoms and complications including:

• Reduced vision: When the eyelids droop significantly, they can obstruct vision. This may cause difficulty with reading, driving, and watching television.
• Eyebrow strain: In an attempt to compensate for the droopy eyelids, individuals may raise their eyebrows, leading to strain and fatigue.
• Double vision: In rare cases, hooded eyelids can cause double vision or diplopia.  Weakened muscles mean your eyes no longer move in unison.  You will see two things at once
• Poor peripheral vision: because of the way the eyelids are drooping they could obstruct your peripheral vision
• Difficulty speaking: Severe cases of Ptosis can cause difficulty in speaking, as the droopy eyelids can affect the movement of the mouth and lips.
• Vision loss: If left untreated, droopy eyelids can lead to permanent vision loss.

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, droopy eyelids can also cause puffy eyes and affect overall eye health. The excess skin and fat on the eyelids can lead to the accumulation of fluid, causing puffiness and swelling. This can lead to discomfort and affect the appearance of the eyes.

It is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms. Ignoring them can lead to severe complications and permanent vision loss.

Can Droopy Eyes Fix Themselves

For some people, droopy eyelids are a non-issue and do not impact their day-to-day life.  In these cases, nothing is required to be done.  When ptosis is evident, it could go away on its own depending on the reason for it being there in the first place.  I wouldn’t put my money on that, especially as we age.  The likelihood of it disappearing by itself is less likely the older we get.

Most Common Causes Droopy Eyelids

• Droopy eyelids, also known as ptosis, occur when the upper eyelids sag or droop over the eyes. This can affect one or both eyes and can occur at any age.
• Congenital ptosis is present at birth and is caused by a problem with the muscle that lifts the eyelid. Ptosis later in life can be caused by a variety of factors, including age, injury, or nerve damage.
• Having said that, droopy (hooded) eyelids can cause a variety of symptoms, including vision obstruction, eye fatigue, and headaches. In severe cases, ptosis can even cause amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (crossed eyes).
• Treatment options depend on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. In mild cases, exercises and lifestyle changes may be enough to improve the appearance of the eyelids. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to lift the eyelids and improve vision.
• It is important to note that not all drooping eyelids require treatment. In some cases, the condition may be purely cosmetic and not affect vision or eye health. However, if you are experiencing symptoms or have concerns about the appearance of your eyelids, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action.

Do Eyelid Lifting Creams Work

Creams alone will not help with your plight.  Hooded eyes are more of a muscular issue and will require a little more TLC than just applying night cream.

Is Eyelid Surgery Painful

Many people who have undergone the procedure claim to experience very little pain and a pretty short recovery time.  There could be some bruising for a week or two but once that subsides, the subtle changes will dramatically improve the look of your eyes.

Exercises for Droopy Eyelids

Because droopy eyelids can be caused by a variety of different factors like aging, nerve damage, or muscle weakness, exercise (ughhh!  I know, right?) may be an option to help reduce the problem.  Surgery is an option. But, perhaps some of these exercises can help lift and strengthen the levator muscle – responsible for raising the eyelid.

Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise routine, especially if you have a medical condition. Exercise may not work for everyone and should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment.

1 – Basic Muscle Stimulation – To warm up the levator muscle, start by placing your index fingers on the outer corners of your eyes and gently pulling the skin towards your temples. Then, close your eyes tightly and hold for five seconds before relaxing. Repeat this exercise five times.

2 – Concentrated Movement – Next, focus on the levator muscle by placing your index fingers on the eyelids and pushing them up while opening your eyes wide. Hold for five seconds before relaxing. Repeat this exercise five times.

3 – Resistance Workout – For a more challenging workout, use your fingers to push your eyelids down while trying to lift them up with your levator muscle. Hold for five seconds before relaxing. Repeat this exercise five times.

4 – Trataka Yogic Eye Exercise – This yogic eye exercise involves gazing at a single point to improve concentration and strengthen the eye muscles. To perform this exercise, sit in a comfortable position and place a candle or other small object at eye level. Focus on the object without blinking for as long as possible before closing your eyes and resting for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise five times.

5 – Eye Patch Workout – Use an eye patch to isolate and strengthen the levator muscle. Simply cover one eye with the patch and use the other eye to perform basic muscle stimulation, concentrated movement, and resistance workout exercises. After five repetitions, switch to the other eye and repeat.

 

Medical and Surgical Interventions For Droopy Eyelids

Those dreaded exercises didn’t work so now you are exploring the various medical and surgical interventions available to treat droopy eyelids. These interventions range from non-invasive treatments such as eye drops and medication to more invasive procedures such as plastic surgery and Botox injections.

• Botox Injections – Botox injections are a popular non-surgical treatment for droopy eyelids. The injections work by temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause the eyelids to droop. Injection results last between three to six months. Repeat as needed.
• Plastic Surgery – Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves removing excess skin and fat from the eyelids. This procedure is typically recommended for individuals who have severely hooded eyelids that affect their vision. Recovery time for blepharoplasty can vary, but most patients are able to return to their normal activities within a few weeks.
• Eye Drops and Medication – Eye drops and medication can be used to treat mild cases of droopy eyelids. Oxymetazoline is a common medication used to treat droopy eyelids. It works by constricting the blood vessels in the eyelids, which helps to lift them. It is important to note that these treatments are not a permanent solution and may need to be repeated over time.

Lifestyle and Skincare Regimen

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and skincare regimen is crucial for overall wellness and healthy skin, including the skin around the eyes. A combination of factors such as aging skin,  weakened tendons, and gravity impacts the appearance of your eyes. However, there are lifestyle changes and skin care routines that can help improve your eyelids.

As noted above, exercises and yoga can help strengthen the forehead muscles and lower eyelids, which can help lift the eyelids and improve overall eye appearance. Additionally, facial exercises can help stimulate blood flow and improve skin elasticity, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and slack skin.

Diet

A healthy diet rich in antioxidants is also essential for maintaining healthy skin and improving skin elasticity. Antioxidants can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to aging skin. Incorporating foods such as berries, leafy greens, and nuts into your diet can provide your body with the necessary nutrients to maintain healthy skin.

In addition to lifestyle changes, incorporating a skincare routine into your daily routine can also help improve droopy eyelids. Cleansing the skin around the eyes with a gentle cleanser can help remove dirt and oil, which can contribute to the appearance of droopy eyelids. Using a stimulating device such as a jade roller can also help improve blood flow and reduce puffiness around the eyes.

For those looking for a more immediate solution, dermal fillers can be used to lift the eyelids and improve overall eye appearance. However, it is important to consult with a qualified professional before considering any cosmetic procedures.

When to Consult an Ophthalmologist

• If you are experiencing droopy eyelids, it is important to know when to seek medical attention. While droopy eyelids can be a natural part of aging, they can also be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
• Sudden or severe drooping of one or both eyelids consult an ophthalmologist or eye doctor immediately. This could be a sign of a stroke or other neurological condition that requires immediate medical attention.
• Also, if you experience double vision, difficulty speaking, or weakness on one side of your body, you should seek medical attention right away. These, too, could be signs of a stroke or other serious conditions.
• If your droopy eyelids are not sudden or severe, but are causing discomfort or affecting your vision, we recommend that you consult an ophthalmologist. They can help determine the underlying cause of your condition and recommend appropriate treatment options.

It is important to note that while there are exercises and remedies that can help improve droopy eyelids, it is always best to consult a medical professional before attempting any treatment. This is especially true if you have a history of eye or neurological conditions, or if you are taking any medications that could affect your vision.

In the Ayurvedic community, droopy eyelids are often seen as a sign of imbalances in the body’s energy or “doshas.” While Ayurvedic remedies may help improve the appearance of droopy eyelids, it is still important to consult an ophthalmologist or eye doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

In Summary

Facial and eye exercises for only a few minutes a day can help to improve the skin and muscles around the eyes and help lift those droopy eyelids.

Droopy eyelids can cause a range of symptoms and complications that can affect an individual’s quality of life. Seeking medical attention and following a recommended treatment plan can help manage the symptoms and prevent permanent vision loss.  The choice of medical or surgical intervention will depend on the severity of the droopy eyelids and the individual’s personal preferences. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and skincare regimen can help improve the appearance of droopy eyelids and boost self-esteem. Avoiding crutches such as glasses can also help improve drive and confidence. By incorporating facial exercises, a healthy diet, and a skincare routine into your daily routine, you can help maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin, including the skin around the eyes.

 

 

all photos from Canva.com