There’s no shortage of articles online about how to fix droopy eyelids. From exercises to creams, eyelid-tightening products and more, there are a ton of tips on how to stop lids from resting low. But what causes lids to droop? Read on to learn the root causes and the most effective solutions.

The anatomy of eyelids

The skin of the eyelids is thin, delicate and very sensitive to touch. In fact, it’s so fragile that eyelids can tear (and even scar) easily. This is why touching your eyes excessively, such as in a microscope, or with rough objects like tweezers or a nail file, can cause damage or even permanent impairment of visioN. The eyelids are made up of fatty tissue that helps to protect the eye and keep it moist. They are also attached to the eyeball, or the “black hole,” which helps to focus light on the retina. The outermost layer of the eyelid is the Meibomian (or Meibomianus) glands, which are located just below the eye sockets. These glands produce a natural oil that helps to keep the eyes moist. The eyelids can be divided into three main parts: the tarsal fold, lower eyelid and upper eyelid.

Why do eyelids droop?

The reason you have droopy eyelids is likely a combination of factors. Some of the most common causes of droopy eyelids are: – Genetics – If your parents had droopy eyelids, then you likely do too. – Environmental triggers – This can include hormones, stress levels and certain medications. – Disorders of the eyelids – This can include heredity disorders like Turner syndrome, or infections like syphilis. – Aging – As we get older, our eyelids become less elastic and may start to look saggy. – Surgery – This can include eyelid lift surgery, which involves a small incision to remove excess skin, or botox treatments to relax or paralyze the muscles.

Anatomy of a hooded eyelid

Hooded eyelids are a very common type of droopy eyelid. They are often seen in women who have undergone the “bellend” procedure, commonly known as a “tug-tug” or “eyebrow lift.” The brows are thinned, while the eyelids are stretched upward to make the eyes look bigger. Although the meaning of the word “hood” in this case is still up for debate, the word “hooded” refers to the appearance of drooping eyelids that leave the inner corners of the eyes (the “hoods” of the eyes) exposed. There are a variety of causes of hooded eyelids, including: – Environmental triggers – This is an extremely common cause of hooded eyelids. Genetics, age, hormones and even certain medications can trigger hooded eyelids. – Disorders of the eyelids – This includes disorders like ptosis or blepharoptosis (where the upper eyelid is droopy but the lower eyelid is intact). – Aging – As we age, our skin becomes thinner, along with our eyelid muscles. These changes make it harder for our eyelids to close normally. – Surgery – This can include blepharoplasty, which is the process of removing excess skin from the eyelids and brows, or brow lift surgery, which involves repositioning the brows.

Causes of hooded eyelids

There are many different conditions that can lead to hooded eyelids, including: – Ptosis – This is when the upper eyelid is droopy and does not cover the entire eye. Ptosis can be caused by a variety of disorders, but it is often seen in older patients. – Blepharoptosis – This occurs when one or both eyelids are not fully developed, leaving the “hoods” exposed. Blepharoptosis can be caused by various disorders or it can be a side effect of certain medications. – Age – As we get older, our skin and eyelid muscles become thinner and less elastic. – Environmental triggers – Certain medications, gender, certain infections and other factors can cause droopy eyelids.

Treatment for hooded eyelids

If you have hooded eyelids caused by genetics, the best thing to do is not to stress out. Genetics are often out of our control, so there’s no need to get upset or try to fix it. It could be best to stay calm and try to avoid situations that could trigger your genetically-caused hooded eyelids. However, you may be able to treat the droopy eyelids with procedures like blepharbotox injections or blepharoplasty. In these cases, the droopy eyelids can be corrected by removing excess skin from the eyelids and brow using surgical techniques.

Conclusion

The good news is that droopy eyelids can be treated. The first step is figuring out what causes the problem. Once that’s done, you can take a variety of steps to help treat your droopy eyelids. From exercises and creams to eyelid surgery and eyelid lift surgery, there are many options for treating droopy eyelids. If you’d like to learn more, talk to your doctor or visit your eye doctor.