Causes of Acquired Ptosis

Although the appearance of eyelid ptosis may seem similar from person to person, the cause may be different.

One of the most common causes is what is known as involutional or age-related ptosis. In these cases, the muscle responsible for lifting the eyelid is healthy and functions normally, but the tendon that transmits the force of the muscle to the eyelid may weaken, stretch, or partially detach over time, causing the eyelid to droop.

This often occurs with aging, and is known as senile ptosis, but it can also appear at a younger age due to certain factors that affect these tissues, such as:

• Frequent or prolonged use of contact lenses.
• Rubbing the eyes frequently, especially when there is conjunctival hypersensitivity.
• Certain previous eye surgeries, such as refractive surgery or cataract surgery.

There are other less common causes of acquired ptosis, as the problem may be related to the muscle itself or the nerves that control it, or the ptosis may occur as a result of trauma, previous surgery, or the presence of a weight or mass in the eyelid.

Therefore, determining the cause of ptosis is the first step in choosing the appropriate treatment, as treatment varies depending on the cause and the function of the tissues responsible for lifting the eyelid.