Getting older? Your lids are, too.
As you get older, your appearance changes. You may find new wrinkles or laugh lines emerging around your eyes and mouth. You might notice sullen cheeks or loose skin under your chin as the underlying layer of supportive fat begins to shrink. What you may not have expected to see is the drooping of your eyelids as those small, delicate muscles start to stretch and weaken.
If you noticed your lids are lying lower than usual, you're not alone. Millions of people suffer from low-lying eyelids, also known as acquired ptosis! While it's common for age to play a big factor in the onset of acquired ptosis, other things can also cause it like cataract surgery, excessive eye rubbing, contact lens wear, or an underlying medical condition.
Acquired ptosis is very common. One online survey of 10,000 women between the ages of 20-70 years old indicated that up to 60% of adult women in the US may self-identify as having ptosis. Low-lying lids can range between mild, moderate, and severe, and can affect one or both eyes. In severe cases of ptosis, you may even experience limited or blocked vision due to your eyelids covering their pupils.
You can take charge of your acquired ptosis. If you suspect you now have low-lying lids, talk with your healthcare provider about an official diagnosis.