Dealing with Droopy Lids

Having sagging or drooping eyelids not only makes you look older than you actually are, but it is also a health issue that can obstruct your vision. Some statistics suggest more than one hundred thousand men and women seek surgical solutions for this problem every year. We have some tips that may be able to help you avoid such procedures, which is especially great if you don’t respond well to anesthesia or have other health reasons that make you reluctant to undergo surgery.

Sagging eyelids can be triggered by a variety of situations or conditions, including: normal cellular aging, diabetes, a stroke, Horner’s syndrome (a disorder that affects the nerves of the eyes and face), a brain tumor, or any other disorder that affects nerve or muscle function.

When present in both eyelids, the problem may be caused by:

• Medical complications. One example is myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder that affects the muscles around the eye and the nerves that control them.
• The natural aging process.
• Normal variation in the eyelids.

In cases where a single eyelid is drooping, the cause could be:

• An eyelid neoplasm – this closely resembles a sty.
• Health complications.
• Injury to a nerve.
• The natural aging process.
• Normal variation in the eyelid.

The effectiveness of home remedies will depend on the cause and severity of the drooping lid(s), but you may want to try any of the following first:

• Use chamomile tea bags. Chamomile contains anti-inflammatory agents that can help treat this condition. Store the bags in the fridge before placing them over your eyes. Relax and keep the bags on for 20 minutes. Make this part of your regular routine and you’ll start to see benefits in no time.
• Make a homemade lotion to revitalize your eyes using natural ingredients. Blend four tablespoons of plain yogurt, four tablespoons of aloe vera gel, two tablespoons of oatmeal, and five slices of peeled cucumber until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to your eyelids, leave on for 20 minutes, and rinse with cool water when you’re done.
• Cucumbers are also an excellent remedy for drooping eyelids. Simply place chilled cucumber slices over your eyes and leave them on for 15 to 20 minutes. Throw the slices away (or add them to a compost pile) when you’re done.
• Ice water can be surprisingly effective for some mild cases (depending on the root cause). Wash your face with very cold water to tighten the skin and alleviate sagging eyelid skin.
• Try eating more grapes in your diet. They are an excellent option on account of their high resveratrol content. Resveratrol helps to slow or even prevent certain cellular aging processes.

Of course, home remedies aren’t guaranteed to be 100% effective. There is always a chance you may need professional intervention and treatment. At that point, it’s time to contact our professionals at Sight Eye Clinic by calling (616) 772-2020 and requesting your appointment at our Zeeland, MI office. Call us today!