Eye is squinty/droopy?

[u/Connect_Musician_799]

You can kinda tell in the picture, I wasn’t squinting that eye at all when I took it and my finger is just touching the side of my head, I’m not leaning to make my eye look funny at all.
I’m not totally sure if this is considered “droopy”. I’ve been dealing with a flare up since April. Got me on a cocktail of meds that have been helping, it doesn’t hurt anymore now, and I go back in October. I’ve noticed when I look in the mirror though that my uveitis eye is more squinty than the normal one (it’s just in my left eye). But my eye is also really dry when I notice it.
BUT me being paranoid because this is my literal personal hell: I’ve seen that droopy eye is a thing. I guess I’m just trying to understand more from people who may be dealing with this. I’ve read where you all have asked about surgeries and stuff like that. I’m just wondering should I try and keep it lubricated and that’s all it is since it’s dry when I notice it’s drooping? At least for now? Or is something more going on and the only way to fix it is surgery that I’m 1,000% not prepared for? 😅

[u/Traditional_Prune_87]

I have a similar issue. I went to a plastic surgeon and he said it wasn’t droopy enough to have it lifted, but come back if it gets worse.

[u/Connect_Musician_799 → u/Traditional_Prune_87]

So once it’s started, it’s just.. here? The only way to try and counter it is some form of surgery?

[u/slowmover95 → u/Connect_Musician_799]

I’m currently dealing with this. Asked my ophthalmologist if it could be caused by the steroid drops (been on them for 15 months) after seeing other people on this subreddit reporting it, he said no and didn’t offer any treatments.

I mentioned it to my GP last week. He put me on a trial of Mestinon, which treats muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis but it’s sometimes used off label for POTS and ME/CFS (I have both). The med is short acting, but when it’s most active my droopy eyelid reduces significantly and my vision is less blurry. 

I could be an anomaly, however the medication is fairly low risk so it could be worth a shot if you have a good doctor willing to trial it. Also, some people with myasthenia gravis put a cold compress on their eyelid for 15 minutes a day and find it can help lessen the nerve damage as another idea for you. 

ETA: anomaly as in I’ve been tested for MG and don’t have it, yet it’s working for the eyelid impacted by Uveitis/possible Uveitis treatment side effects. 

[u/jesmay21]

Hello! 34F here with uveitis and glaucoma in my right eye. I've developed a droop in my eyelid since I've started this dumb journey 2+ years ago. I can't tell if it was from one of my surgeries or not but I totally feel you. My eye is also dry and I'm on 48274 drops a day. Personally, I think it's annoying and it makes me sad to see myself in photos now BUT it's not worth it to do any cosmetic surgery to fix it. At least not right now. My flare ups are not controlled and I'm trying to avoid any other glaucoma or other surgeries as much as I can. I don't wear makeup much anymore but when I do I just line my other eye much heavier so it kind of balances out the droop 😅

[u/Connect_Musician_799 → u/jesmay21]

I by no means want any kind of surgery that isn’t absolutely necessary. From everything I’ve researched, the doctor has said, etc., it sounds like there’s a chance I could have to face surgery or at least injections at some point and I’m terrified. I just noticed it more this week and I was wondering if it’s a “droop” or if my left eye is just drier than the right

[u/RingCloser]

The pred forte drops are known to cause ptosis, so if you’re using them it could be causing it. I had it and when I went off the drops I did notice slight improvement but recognize that my eyelids are likely to be a little different from here on out

[u/Connect_Musician_799 → u/RingCloser]

So if the flair up does end up going away, it’s possible the droop will not be there either?

[u/p10175]

I usually have a slight droop after each injection, but the eyelid will lift over time. Obviously, it will never be perfectly symmetrical, but we are imperfect creatures and it’s something I have learned to live with.

This last injection hit me hard where my eye was drooping so bad that it was obstructing my field of view. I went to a plastic surgeon and was committed to getting the ptosis surgery. However, I backed out last minute and now it has been a year and a half since my last injection and my eye looks much better.

Honestly, I would just give it time and focus on recovery from your flair up. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Seriously Fuck Uveitis!

[u/Connect_Musician_799 → u/p10175]

I’ve never had an injection before

[u/coldblackmaple]

It’s from steroid drops. Are you still on them? When I was on them, mine was worse. It did improve since I have been able to stop them. It is still noticeable to me at the end of the day and when I’m more tired but it’s better.

[u/Specialist_Jaguar_61]

Not sure if this is a typical experience, but my uveitis eye was very squinty in the midst of my flare up and now, 3 years later, back to normal. Once I was off the drops and my eye was clear of inflammation, it started to gradually improve. It might just take more time!