Heavy Upper Eyelids

What are heavy upper eyelids?

Some people notice that their upper eyelids feel heavier or that there is less visible eyelid over time or that the texture becomes more crepey. Others may find that applying eye make-up becomes more difficult or that the appearance of their upper eyelids has changed. These changes are common and may occur gradually.

What causes heavy upper eyelids?

Several factors may contribute, including:

• Individual facial anatomy and genetics.
• Gradual changes in the skin and supporting tissues with age.
• Underlying Brow bone position and shape
• Changes in eyebrow position.
• Reduced skin elasticity.
• Loss of fat surrounding the eyelid, or within the eye socket itself.
• Less commonly, certain medical conditions eg. Thyroid disease, nerve palsies, tumours, general medical illnesses.
• Previous trauma or injury or ageing of the eyelid muscles.

The underlying cause varies from person to person, making an individual assessment an important part of the consultation.

Assessment

During your consultation, we’ll assess your upper eyelids, eyebrow position, forehead movement and the relationship between these structures. We’ll also assess your skin quality, fat pads around the lids, muscle strength and symmetry of your eyelids, facial anatomy and medical history to better understand the underlying cause of your concern and whether further assessment or referral may be appropriate.

Why assessment is important

Heavy upper eyelids are not always caused by changes in the eyelids themselves. In some people, eyebrow position, forehead muscle activity or age-related changes in the surrounding tissues also contribute. Less commonly, heavy eyelids may be associated with an underlying medical condition. Without a comprehensive assessment, management may not address the underlying cause of the concern. A careful assessment helps guide appropriate, individualised management.

Individualised management

During your consultation, we’ll discuss whether management is appropriate for your individual concerns. If so, we’ll explain the available options, together with the expected benefits, limitations and potential risks, so you can make an informed decision about your care.

Prepared by
Dr Simone Doreian
Specialist General Practitioner
AHPRA Registration: MED0001163462