Q10.0: Congenital ptosis

You have a congenital defect making your eyelid droop.

The eyelids along with the lashes are located above and under the eye. They protect the eye from injuries and drying out. Fat, muscles, and several glands are included in the eyelid, among other things. The glands produce some partly fatty elements for the layer of fluid on the eye.

While developing in the womb, many different types of tissue develop in the body. The organs and body parts develop out of the various types of tissue. If tissue fails to develop properly, defects can occur. In the upper eyelid there is a muscle that can pull the eyelid upwards. The muscle is controlled by a nerve. As a result of the defect, this muscle may be unable to lift the eyelid properly. The defect usually affects either the muscle itself or the nerve that controls the muscle.

The sense of sight develops within the first few years of life. For it to be able to develop, the eye must be able to perceive images from the environment. The field of vision might be restricted by the drooping eyelid. In such a case, vision development might be disrupted and the sight in the affected eye might be weak. When vision is weak in an eye, one's vision is restricted or non-existent.