Drooping Eyelids
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Apr 4, 2024
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With an easy 3-min questionnaire , Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.
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Drooping of the upper eyelid over the eye
Closing of the upper eyelid
Eyelid droops
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
About the Symptom
Ptosis is drooping of the upper eyelid. This may block vision. It can be caused by weak eyelid muscles or by eyelid swelling.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Blurring of vision
double vision
Recent weight loss
Impossible to walk normally
Fever
Slurred speech
Unilateral blindness
Dysphagia
Disorder of consciousness
Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
Involuntary movements
History of cerebrovascular disorder
Eye movement disorder
Easy fatiguability
Headache
Altered mental status (delirium)
Muscle weakness in the limbs
Eye pain
Photophobia
Visual field defect
Numbness / sensory disorder
Possible Causes
Generally, Drooping eyelids can be related to:
- Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a condition characterized by the immune system producing abnormal antibodies that block muscles from receiving nerve signals. This results in muscle weakness and easy fatigue, as well as double vision, drooping eyelids, facial weakness or hoarseness.
- Tolosa Hunt Syndrome
Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome is a rare condition characterized by severe headaches behind the eyes, decreased and painful eye movements typically in just one eye. The exact cause is unknown, but it may be related to inflammation in certain areas behind the eye.
- Lambert-Eaton Syndrome
Lambert-Eaton syndrome is a condition where a person's immune system attacks the connections between the nerves and the muscles. This usually causes muscle weakness and fatigue. This condition is most often seen in people with small cell lung cancer, those with immune system problems, or rarely other types of cancer such as lymphoma.
- Cluster Headache
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Mediastinal Tumor
Related serious diseases
Sometimes, Drooping eyelids may be related to these serious diseases:
- Aseptic Meningitis
Aseptic meningitis is inflammation of the brain's membranes without a bacterial cause found in testing. It's typically caused by viral infections but can also result from fungal infection, spirochetal infection, medication-induced, or be associated with cancer or other systemic diseases. Meningitis symptoms include headache, light intolerance (photophobia), fever, and neck stiffness.
- Cerebral Infarction
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Do you have droopy eyelids that sometimes cover your eye?
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Find Similar Symptoms
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Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
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Dale Mueller, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Associates
