Does eye strain cause your eyelids to droop?

[Sarahsah]

I read here that eye strain causes eyelids to droop, Is that true? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-475174/Is-illness-staring-face-Symptoms-spot-mirror.html

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

There are two muscles that hold the upper lid up  the biggest the levator and a smaller Mueller's muscle. Muellers muscle is very susceptable to sleep, fatigue, illness. Perhaps you have a weaken Mueller's muscle that tires easily.

You might do a literature scearch on episodic ptosis.

JCH MD

[KarlMaldensNose]

With no disrespect intended, I must disagree with your assertion that eye strain will not cause ptosis.  For the last eight years (I am 33) I have been experiencing recurring ptosis due to eye strain.  Yes, it is rare indeed, as the many doctors, specialists and  surgeons I've been examined by have told me they've never seen anything like this before.  Batteries of tests, scans, x-rays, etc. have ruled out all the usual suspects (e.g. Horner's syndrome, myasthenia gravis) and strain is the only plausible conclusion they can come to.  Most episodes (average occurance of 3-5 per year, lasting usually 5-7 days, both eyes effected but not during the same episode) can be connected to an activity that would likely cause visual strain/stress.  I hypothesize that my levatator muscles or, more likely, their innervation mechanism(s)/pathway(s) were damaged during a surgury I had when I was 25 to relieve chronic sinnusitis, rendering them sensitive to stress, bacterial infection, and certain medications with anticholinergic activity that can disrupt the (para?)sympathetic "chain" which controls them.  The doctors look at me like I'm a lunatic when I propose this latter pathology.  Any thoughts?  I'm always looking for other opinions.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The dash just means I've read the last post and don't need to add any further comments. For me its like the period at the end of a sentence.

JCH IIIMD

[Sarahsah]

Hi Dr Hagan, I can't see your latest post, only 2 dashes.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Sarahsah]

Thanks Dr Hagan for shedding light on this! :)

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I looked at that article. It has multiple errors and partial truths. Eye strain will not cause ptosis.

JCH III MD

[AnnaE]

Dr. Hagen will answer you soon.