Home Eyes and visionEyelid diseases Blepharochalasia or droopy eyelids: causes and treatment

Blepharochalasia or droopy eyelids: causes and treatment

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

The blepharochalasis is an inflammatory disease that degenerates eyelids prematurely, acquiring an aged appearance, with the loose skin, thinness, and weak. It is usual for the skin to become laxer over time, especially the eyelids. Still, in the case of blepharochalasis, the natural aging process develops early, even appearing at 40 years of age. The drooping eyelids only affect the aesthetic appearance without having consequences for visual health.

The causes of inflammation and degeneration of the eyelid are diverse, either due to an unhealthy lifestyle or genetic factors. At FastlyHealwe, explain everything about blepharochalasis or droopy eyelids, its causes, and treatment.

What are the causes of blepharochalasis?

The eyelid not only consists of a fold of skin but is a mobile muscle-mucosa that protects the eye and takes care of moisture thanks to tearing secretions. It has its sweat glands, called Moll’s glands, and is made up of:

  • Conjunctival membrane, which is in contact with the eyeball.
  • Tarsus. It is a thick and flexible layer that acts as a skeleton in the eye. Inside we find glands called Meibomian glands. Between 30 and 40 of these glands in the upper eyelid lubricate the eyelid sliding by secreting a fatty substance.
  • Orbicularis muscle, which provides mobility.
  • Outer skin.

Blepharochalasis is not a definite cause, although it is known that the man responsible for skin aging are the free radicals in the environment that cause oxidative damage.

Triggers lie in the following aspects:

  • Genetic factors.
  • Tobacco.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption.
  • Lack of sun protection for the eyelids.

It can also be due to underlying causes such as myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular autoimmune disorder that affects the muscles and the nerves that control them.

Treatment for blepharochalasis

The best treatment for blepharochalasis begins with leading a healthy life that avoids alcohol and tobacco. In addition, it is advisable to play sports and eat foods that contain antioxidants that eliminate free radicals and rejuvenate the skin.

Several natural home treatments favor the skin and eyelids to maintain an elastic and youthful skin.

When blepharochalasis is already highly developed, the surgical route is known as blepharoplasty. The excess skin is removed from the eyelid, and the fat bags are treated through a simple surgical operation of less than an hour. The technique used will vary depending on the patient, but local anesthesia and sedation will be used in any case. The stitches are usually removed within 3 or 4 days, and skin color changes usually reverse after about ten days.

Diagnóstico de la blepharocalasia

To detect blepharochalasis, a physical examination will compare the eyelids. It will always be more challenging to see if it occurs on both eyelids equally.

Subsequently, you can resort to the following tests :

  • Slit lamp examination. For this test, a microscope with a high-intensity light source is used. The patient has to put a few drops in the eyes 15 or 20 minutes before the pupils are dilated, and the examination is facilitated.
  • Myasthenia gravis stress test.
  • Visual field exam. This test aims to assess correct lateral and peripheral vision, thus measuring the patient’s visual field.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Blepharochalasia or droopy eyelids: causes and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Eyes and Vision category .

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