Droopy Lid

“My eyes aren’t good anymore because I’m getting old.”

I hear this all the time, but I don’t really think that it is true. There’s always a specific issue decreasing the vision that, while it may be more common at older ages, is not something that affects everyone. There are certainly very elderly folks who have great 20/20 vision in both eyes.

One thing that is associated with age is a droopy upper eyelid. There is a muscle called the levator palpebrae superioris that literally pulls up the upper eyelid. It is attached directly to the eyelid and contracts to open the lid.

Over time, the attachment between the levator and the eyelid can weaken, which causes the eyelid to be droopy. This can be fixed surgically.