Drooping of the upper eyelid is medically referred to as what?

• A. Ptosis
• B. Blepharitis
• C. Cataracts
• D. Glaucoma

Answer: (A)

Drooping of the upper eyelid is called ptosis. It happens when the muscle that lifts the eyelid, or its nerve supply, doesn’t work normally, so the lid sits lower than it should. Ptosis can be mild or pronounced and may be present at birth or develop later in life. It’s different from other eye conditions: blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margins with redness and crusting; cataracts are clouding of the lens inside the eye; glaucoma involves damage to the optic nerve often related to higher eye pressure. Recognizing ptosis helps explain why someone might have reduced upper-field vision or a tired-looking eye, and it’s a cue to consider medical evaluation or appropriate accommodations if needed.