Why Do I Look Tired?

If you frequently find yourself asking, "Why do I look tired?" despite getting enough rest, it may be worthwhile to explore whether acquired ptosis could be the reason.

Understanding Acquired Ptosis

Acquired ptosis, or drooping of the upper eyelids, can give a tired appearance even when you're fully awake and energized. This condition can affect anyone but is particularly prevalent in adults as they age. Unlike congenital ptosis, which individuals are born with, acquired ptosis develops later in life due to various factors such as muscle weakness, stretching, nerve damage, or long-term contact lens wear.

Why Does It Make You Look Tired?

The eyelids play a crucial role in your overall facial expression. When the upper eyelids droop, it can create shadows and subtle changes in facial expression that contribute to a weary appearance. This condition not only affects how others perceive your energy levels but can also influence your vision, which may lead to additional straining and further enhance the tired look.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Common symptoms of acquired ptosis include a noticeable lowering of the upper eyelids, increased difficulty keeping the eyelids open, and fatigue from the constant effort to elevate the lids. In some cases, individuals may also experience headaches from the strain. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough examination by a healthcare professional, who can assess eyelid position and function and rule out other causes of tired-looking eyes, including certain serious neurological and orbital diseases.

Impact on Daily Life

Living with acquired ptosis can have more than just cosmetic consequences. It can impair your vision, especially if the eyelids obstruct your line of sight, which can make daily tasks like driving or reading more challenging. The effort to keep your eyelids lifted can also lead to eye strain and headaches, further contributing to the appearance and sensation of fatigue.

Treatment Options

Fortunately, there are several treatment options available for those affected by acquired ptosis. The most common include:

Lifestyle Adjustments: Adjusting your daily habits can also help manage the symptoms of ptosis. Ensuring adequate sleep, reducing eye strain, and using proper lighting when reading or working can mitigate some effects of the condition.
Nonsurgical Treatments: Recent advancements have introduced nonsurgical methods, such as prescription eye drops, like UPNEEQ ® (oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, 0.1%), that stimulate the muscle to lift the eyelid temporarily.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): This surgical procedure adjusts the height of the eyelids, improving both vision and appearance. It involves removing excess skin and tightening the muscles or tendons responsible for lifting the eyelid.

Ptosis Prevention Tips

While not all cases of acquired ptosis can be prevented, certain measures can reduce your risk or delay its onset:

Avoid rubbing your eyes excessively, which can stretch the skin and weaken muscles around the eyes.
Manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure that can contribute to eye issues.
Use proper eye protection to prevent injuries that could lead to ptosis.

Get started with Upneeq

Upneeq is the only FDA-approved, prescription eye drop that lifts low-lying eyelids (acquired ptosis). Find out if Upneeq’s eye-opening benefits are right for you.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is UPNEEQ?

UPNEEQ® (oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), 0.1% is a prescription eyedrop used to treat acquired blepharoptosis (low-lying lids) in adults.

What warnings and precautions are associated with UPNEEQ?

Low-lying lids may be related to conditions such as stroke and/or brain aneurysm, Horner syndrome, myasthenia gravis, loss of the ability to move eye muscles, eye infection and eye tumors. Tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions.
UPNEEQ is a type of medication that may affect your blood pressure. If you have heart disease, uncontrolled high or low blood pressure, or feel faint at rest or when quickly standing up, you should call your doctor if your symptoms get worse.
Patients with reduced blood flow to the brain or heart, or patients who experience eye or mouth dryness due to an immune system disorder (Sjögren’s syndrome), should use care when taking UPNEEQ. Call your doctor immediately if you feel your symptoms may be getting worse.
UPNEEQ may increase the risk of eye pressure due to fluid buildup (angle-closure glaucoma) in patients with untreated narrow-angle glaucoma. Call your doctor immediately if you feel increased pressure in your eye after using UPNEEQ.
Do not let the tip of the UPNEEQ vial touch your eye or any other surface. This can help prevent eye injury or contamination. Each UPNEEQ vial is for one-time use and should be discarded after being used.

What are the most common side effects of UPNEEQ?

The most common adverse reactions with UPNEEQ (occurring in 1-5% of patients) were eye inflammation, eye redness, dry eye, blurred vision, eye pain at time of use, eye irritation, and headache.

What should my doctor know about before prescribing me UPNEEQ?

Your doctor should review your full medical history before prescribing UPNEEQ.
UPNEEQ belongs to a class of medication (alpha-adrenergic agonists) that may affect your blood pressure. Use UPNEEQ carefully if you currently take an alpha-adrenergic agonist medication to treat heart disease or an enlarged prostate. Patients taking beta-blockers, or other medications to treat hypertension or an abnormal heartbeat, should also be careful when using UPNEEQ.
Patients who use a certain class of antidepressant medication (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) should also be careful when using UPNEEQ, as it may affect the way your body absorbs the medication.

These are not all of the possible side effects of UPNEEQ. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
To report side effects or product complaints, contact RVL Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-482-3788. You may also report side effects to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.
This is a summary of the most important safety information for UPNEEQ. For more in-depth safety information, please review the full Prescribing Information for UPNEEQ.