Zeenat Aman recently opened up about an eye condition, Ptosis, which had troubled the actor for 40 years. She took to Instagram to share how she’s been dealing with the condition and how she recently underwent surgery to fix the condition: “There has been an elephant in the room with me for the past 40 years. It is time to show this elephant the door. I have a condition know as ptosis - the result of an injury I suffered many decades ago that damaged the muscles around my right eye. Over the years, it caused my eyelid to droop further and further. And a few years ago it became so acute that it began to obstruct my vision (sic).”

Also known as droopy eye due to how the eyelid is affected, Dr Puneet Jain, Senior Consultant, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals, Delhi, says, “Ptosis is a condition where the upper eyelid of one or both eyes droops or falls over your eye. It occurs due to problems with the levator ani (the main muscle acting to lift your eyelid).”

The condition is usually seen in the elderly, as ageing can weaken the eyelids. “It can happen to those who are born with underdeveloped or weak eyelid muscles or due to an injury, nerve damage or underlying medical conditions,” says Dr Preeti Chaudhari, Consultant, Ophthalmology, SRV Hospitals, Dombivli, Mumbai.

Other ways one may acquire Ptosis is by trauma or physical injuries to the eye, the presence of a tumor on or around the eyelid or systemic diseases like diabetes or thyroid. Infections of the eyelid may also cause Ptosis.

Ptosis affects both the function and appearance of the eyes. It can also have a major impact on the psychosocial functioning of a person who is suffering from this disorder. Patients with Ptosis may develop anxiety, depression and an obsession with their appearance. - DR SUJAL SHAH, DIRECTOR OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, SIR HN RELIANCE FOUNDATION HOSPITAL, GIRGAON, MUMBAI

Observation is recommended for mild cases of age-related or congenital Ptosis that do not significantly impact vision. Eyelid exercises might be recommended in certain cases to strengthen the eyelid muscles. For moderate to severe Ptosis, surgical correction is the primary treatment. - DR PREETI CHAUDHARI, CONSULTANT, OPHTHALMOLOGY, SRV HOSPITALS, DOMBIVLI, MUMBAI

Sometimes the eyelid can bend down to such an extent that it covers your pupil. The condition can limit or even completely obstruct normal vision. People suffering from Ptosis may develop symptoms like increased tearing, extreme eye rubbing, fatigue and dull pain around the eyes and weakened vision. - DR PUNEET JAIN, SENIOR CONSULTANT, SHARP SIGHT EYE HOSPITALS, DELHI