Droopy Eyelids Linked to Contact Lenses

Droopy eyelids (medically known as ptosis) can make a person look tired and old long before either of those things are true. Unfortunately, new evidence suggests contact lenses may actually hasten this unbecoming aesthetic.

A study conducted on 96 sets of identical twins has found that hard contact lenses increase eyelid ptosis by an average of .84 millimeters. Participants who wear soft lenses saw a slight reduction in eyelid ptosis during this study, but still averaged .41 millimeters more droop than people who do not wear contact lenses at all. Since the average human eyelid is around 10 millimeters, even .41 millimeters of droop can have a substantial impact on the appearance.

LASIK eliminates the need for contact lenses by permanently correcting your vision. While this cannot prevent natural eyelid dropping as you age, it will reduce risks of heightened ptosis caused by contact lens use. Of course, avoiding droopy eyelids is far the most compelling reason to consider LASIK vision correction, but it certainly adds to the growing list of factors that may influence your decision.

If you are interested in learning more about the many benefits of LASIK vision correction, please use our eye doctor locator to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area and schedule your consultation today.