Aging can cause eyelids to droop and sag, causing bags or circles under the eyes and allowing the upper lids to hood over the eyes so deeply that vision can be obscured. In addition, there are several medical reasons for low-lying upper lids (known as acquired ptosis)
At Skin Deep Laser MD, serving Fort Worth, Weatherford, Benbrook, Burleson, Mansfield, Granbury, and Arlington, Texas, Dr. Laura Riehm offers an innovative new treatment for acquired low-lying lids: an eyedrop called UPNEEQ®.
Understanding Ptosis
Ptosis happens when the eyelids start to sag or droop. In many cases, this is simply caused by aging. However, several medical conditions affect facial muscles and which cause acquired ptosis.
Common causes of acquired ptosis include:
- Stroke
- Cerebral aneurysm
- Horner syndrome
- Myasthenia gravis
- Bell’s palsy
- Muscular dystrophy
Acquired ptosis can cause vision impairment. If you have low-lying eyelids, they can affect eyesight, reducing or blocking your field of vision, making it difficult to:
- Read
- Drive
- Use a computer
- Look up without having to tilt your head back
- Make confident eye contact
It is estimated that millions of people over the age of 40 may have some level of acquired ptosis, but only 15% have been diagnosed. Most sufferers have received no treatment. When treatment is offered for drooping eyelids, it is usually one of two options normally offered for age-related ptosis:
- A blepharoplasty (surgical removal of extra skin and fat from the eyelids)
- Plastic surgery to tighten the Mueller’s muscles that control low-lying lids
Neither option is particularly helpful for acquired ptosis and can lead to an eyelid that never quite closes instead of one that never quite opens.
Introducing UPNEEQ®
UPNEEQ is a prescription eye drop used to treat acquired blepharoptosis in adults. It’s a carefully formulated oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution. It can treat acquired ptosis by affecting Mueller’s muscles that help hold the lids up in the face of gravity.
Side effects and contraindications
Most people find the drops very soothing, but rarely a patient might notice minor eye irritation like stinging and tearing after putting the eye drops in. Dry eyes and slightly blurry vision are other uncommon side effects of UPNEEQ. For most people, these symptoms either don’t appear, don’t last longer than a few minutes, or aren’t severe enough for them to decide to stop using UPNEEQ.
UPNEEQ can affect blood pressure, so if you have blood pressure issues or are on a blood pressure medication, tell us before we prescribe this drug. You also should discuss UPNEEQ with your doctor before use if you have glaucoma, certain immune system disorders, or muscle/nerve weakness.
Ready to talk about your low-lying lids? You can schedule an appointment by calling 817-263-7546 or booking online.
