Athena Vale
Droopy eyelids, known as ptosis or blepharoptosis, can be a cosmetic concern or a health issue. While there is little medical evidence that exercises improve ptosis, some people may wish to try them to improve the appearance of their eyelids. There are a number of eyelid exercises that can be done to strengthen the muscles around the eyes, including eye stretches, rapid eye-opening and closing, and Trataka yogic breathing exercises.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Causes of eyelid drooping | Ageing, incorrect Botox injections, injury, disease, genetic conditions, or stroke |
| Medical term | Ptosis; Blepharoptosis for eyelid drooping |
| Treatment options | Cosmetic surgery, Botox injections, dermal fillers, or natural remedies |
| Natural remedies | Cucumber slices, aloe vera gel, yoghurt, cucumber, and oatmeal paste |
| Eyelid exercises | Open eyes wide, relax, repeat; press temples and open/close eyes rapidly; Trataka yogic eye exercise; pranayama breathing with tongue out and eyes gazing upward |
| Benefits of exercises | May improve appearance of target areas, increase energy, and improve eye health |
| Considerations | No scientific evidence of exercise effectiveness, repeated muscle use may cause wrinkles, and pain during exercises indicates a need to reduce repetitions or try a different technique |
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Causes of droopy eyelids
The medical term for drooping of the eyelid is ptosis. Ptosis may result from damage to the nerve that controls the muscles of the eyelid, problems with muscle strength, or from swelling of the lid. Drooping may be present in one or both eyelids depending on the cause. The lid may cover only the upper eye, or the entire pupil may be covered.
Ptosis can occur in one or both eyes at any age. When a doctor diagnoses ptosis in someone younger than 1 year old, it is called congenital ptosis. According to a 40-year study, congenital ptosis is not common and only occurs in about 1 in 840 babies. Potential causes of congenital ptosis include:
- Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, a muscle disease of the eye and throat that one is born with, but symptoms might not show up until after age 40.
- External ophthalmoplegia
- Horner syndrome
- Myasthenia gravis
People who develop ptosis later in life have what is called acquired ptosis. As a person ages, the eyelid muscles responsible for raising and lowering the eyelid can weaken and cause sagging. The skin and tendons of the upper eyelid also become looser. Most cases of drooping eyelids are due to aging and are not associated with any disease.
In rare cases, drooping eyelids can be a sign of a stroke, which is a medical emergency. If one side of your face or one eye is drooping suddenly, call 911.
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Natural remedies
Although there is no scientific evidence that exercises can improve droopy eyelids, some evidence suggests that working the facial muscles may improve the appearance of target areas. Here are some natural remedies and exercises that may help with eyelid drooping:
Eye Massage
Cleansing, warming, and gently massaging your eyelids can increase circulation and nerve responses. It also makes the muscles softer and more flexible, preparing them for an intentional workout.
Electric Toothbrush
Direct stimulation of the eyelids, either through concentrated movement of the eye or through the use of a stimulating device such as an electric toothbrush, can help reduce eyelid drooping. The mechanical pressure of the brush forces a reaction in the small muscles of the eyelid.
Eye Patch
If only one of your eyelids droops, you may tend to use the other eye more often. To ensure that the weaker eyelid gets as much exercise as possible, cover your good eye with an eye patch. This will allow the weaker eyelid to perform natural exercises during the day without you realizing it.
Eye Roll and Blink
Quick, forcible blinks and eye rolls also work the eyelid muscles.
Trataka Yogic Eye Exercise
This exercise is renowned among the ayurvedic community and is designed to improve overall eye health and vision. To practice this method, fix your gaze on a specific object and stare at it without looking away for as long as you can.
Pranayama Yogic Breathing
This exercise may help stretch out the muscles around the eye and make them more supple. Open your eyes as wide as possible while gazing upward and stick your tongue out and down as far as it will go. Hold for 5–10 seconds while exhaling with a “haaa” breath.
Forehead Exercise
Place your hands on your forehead and push against it with light pressure. Using the muscles of your forehead, try to raise your forehead up against your hands for 5 seconds. Repeat 5–10 times.
Eye Open and Close
Use two fingers to press gently against each temple. Open and close the eyes rapidly for about 20 seconds.
Cold Cucumber Slices
Applying cold cucumber slices to your eyes may help with eyelid drooping.
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Face yoga
While there is no scientific evidence that exercises improve eyelid drooping, some studies suggest that working the facial muscles may improve the appearance of target areas. One such study found that performing facial exercises at least three times a week for a minimum of 20 weeks improved the appearance of certain parts of the face.
The Binocular Pose
Cup your hands and place them over your eyes like binoculars. Apply pressure to avoid wrinkling your forehead. Close your eyes and relax your face. Now, open your eyes as wide as possible and hold for 5 seconds. Relax and repeat this process twice more. This exercise helps lift the muscles and tone the eyelids, while also reducing wrinkling on the brow.
The Eyelid Tension Reliever
Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Place your index fingers on your eyelids. Now, gently lift your eyelids upwards with your fingers while trying to keep your eyes closed. This exercise helps relieve tension around the eyes and strengthen the levator muscles, which are crucial for eyelid movement.
The Eye Squeeze
Sit straight and place your index fingers just above your eyebrows. Now, push your eyebrows upwards while trying to frown. Hold this tension for about 10 seconds and then release. Repeat this process 10 times. This exercise helps strengthen the forehead muscles, reducing the downward pull on the eyelids.
The Wide-Eye
Open your eyes as wide as possible for about 5 seconds. Relax your eyes for another 5 seconds. Continue this process for 30 seconds. This exercise targets the frontalis muscle of the forehead, which connects to the levator muscles of the eyelid.
The Trataka Yogic Eye Exercise
Fix your eyes on a specific object and stare at it without looking away for as long as you can. This exercise is designed to improve overall eye health and vision. As eye movement is linked to eyelid movement, this exercise may help with eyelid drooping.
Remember, consistency is key when it comes to face yoga. Incorporate these exercises into your daily routine to maintain a youthful and vibrant appearance.
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Eye patches
The use of eye patches is particularly recommended for children with lazy eyes or crossed eyes. By covering the healthier eye with a patch, the weaker eye is forced to work harder, strengthening the eye muscles and eyelids. This method can also be used by adults with unilateral ptosis (only one eyelid droop). It is important to note that eye patches should not be worn while driving or in public.
In addition to eye patches, there are several exercises that can be done to strengthen eyelid muscles and improve ptosis. These include:
- Warming and gently massaging the eyelids to increase circulation and nerve responses, making the muscles softer and more flexible.
- Performing forcible blinks by rapidly blinking the eyes and then opening them wide.
- Rolling the eyes in one direction and then the other.
- Opening the eyes as wide as possible for about 5 seconds, relaxing for 5 seconds, and repeating for 30 seconds.
- Using two fingers to gently press against each temple, then opening and closing the eyes rapidly for about 20 seconds.
While these exercises can be beneficial, it is important to note that there is limited scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness. Consulting with a doctor or ophthalmologist is recommended to determine the best course of treatment for drooping eyelids.
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Medical treatments
The medical term for drooping eyelids is ptosis. This condition can affect one or both eyelids and can range from mild to severe. It is usually caused by the levator muscle, which lifts the eyelid, not functioning properly. In some cases, incorrect Botox injections, injury, or disease can also cause ptosis.
If you are experiencing drooping eyelids, it is recommended that you consult a doctor or eye care specialist, especially if it is affecting your vision or appearance. The doctor will investigate the cause of ptosis by asking about your medical history, recent Botox injections, trauma, and ocular surgery. They can then recommend the best treatment option for you.
There are several medical treatments available for drooping eyelids, ranging from non-invasive methods to surgery:
- Non-invasive methods: For temporary cases of eyelid droop caused by Botox injections, lopidine or oxymetazoline eye drops may be prescribed to help with faster recovery. These drops cause the eyelids to contract and open wider, mimicking the effects of droopy eyelid exercises. However, it is important to note that these drops may not work for all forms of ptosis.
- Eyebrow lift: For more severe cases of ptosis, an eyebrow lift may be recommended. This procedure involves tightening the muscle from underneath the eyelid, without the need for skin incisions.
- Eyelid muscle shortening or resection: In moderate cases of ptosis, a shortening of the main eyelid muscle may be performed. In mild cases, a resection of the muscle may be done.
- Upper eyelid blepharoplasty: This is a popular plastic surgery technique that tightens and raises the eyelids. It is typically done for aesthetic reasons and may not be covered by insurance unless a medical condition has caused the ptosis.
- Ptosis crutch: A non-surgical and non-invasive method, a ptosis crutch is a physical device used to lift the eyelids.
- Eye contraction exercises: These exercises can be done at home and involve sitting upright, placing your palms on your lap with fingers pointing upward, and then contracting the eye muscles tightly while closing and squeezing the eyes together. Hold this tension for about 4 seconds, then open your eyes and blink quickly for 15 seconds. Repeat this exercise 5 times a day.
- Trataka Yogic Eye Exercise: This exercise is done for overall eye health and vision improvement. It involves sitting in an upright posture and gazing upward while sticking your tongue out and down as far as it will go. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds while exhaling with a "haaa" breath. Repeat this exercise several times a day.
- Eye massage: Gently massaging your eyelids can increase circulation and nerve responses, making the muscles softer and more flexible. This can be done with or without a workout and can help prepare the eyelids for intentional exercise.
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Frequently asked questions
The main causes of droopy eyelids are ageing, incorrect Botox injections, injury, or disease. In some cases, it can be genetic or present from childhood.
There are several exercises that can be done to strengthen eyelid muscles. One simple exercise involves opening your eyes as wide as possible for about 5 seconds, relaxing for 5 seconds, and repeating for 30 seconds. Another exercise involves placing your hands on your forehead with light pressure and using your forehead muscles to raise your forehead up for 5 seconds, repeated 5-10 times.
Yes, natural remedies include applying cold cucumber slices to your eyes or a paste made from aloe vera gel, plain yoghurt, cucumber, and oatmeal.
The medical term for drooping in any part of the body is ptosis. Droopy eyelids specifically are called blepharoptosis.
If your droopy eyelids interfere with your vision or ability to function, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Additionally, if you experience any symptoms such as facial muscle weakness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, or headaches, it is important to seek medical advice.
