Droopy eyelid
A droopy eyelid (ptosis) is when the upper eyelid sags lower than normal, over one or both eyes. Read more about droopy eyelid →
A droopy eyelid that comes on suddenly should be checked urgently.
Where are you up to?
The NHS reports waiting times by specialty, not by individual condition, so this is the ophthalmology wait (not specific to droopy eyelid), updated August 2026. Enter a postcode to see the hospitals near you.
ophthalmology waiting times by hospital
| Trust | Location | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | Birmingham | 2 weeks |
| Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust | Dorset | 4 weeks |
| The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust | Dudley | 5 weeks |
| Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust | Reigate and Banstead | 5 weeks |
| Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust | Wiltshire | 6 weeks |
| London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust | Brent | 6 weeks |
| Airedale NHS Foundation Trust | Bradford | 6 weeks |
| Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Cheshire East | 7 weeks |
About droopy eyelid
A droopy eyelid (ptosis) is a drooping of the upper eyelid. It is most often due to the muscle that lifts the eyelid stretching or weakening with age, but it can be present from birth or follow an injury. A mild droop may be a cosmetic concern only; a heavier droop can cover part of the eye and get in the way of your vision, and some people lift their brow or tip their head back to see.
How it is treated
A droopy eyelid that is not affecting your sight often needs no treatment. When it blocks or interferes with vision, it can be lifted with a small operation on the eyelid, usually under local anaesthetic. An eye specialist assesses how much the droop affects your visual field and checks there is no underlying cause that needs treating first.
After treatment
After eyelid surgery there is usually some bruising and swelling for a week or two, and the eyelids may feel tight at first. Most people are back to normal activities within a couple of weeks, and the lift is long-lasting, though ageing can cause some droop to return over years.
Sources: NHS: Eyelid problems, NHS: Cosmetic procedures - eyelid surgery. Last updated October 2026.
When the NHS will and will not treat it
The NHS funds surgery to lift a droopy eyelid when it is affecting your vision, for example when the eyelid covers part of the pupil or reduces your field of vision.
When the concern is only how the eyelid looks, eyelid surgery is treated as cosmetic and is not usually available on the NHS.
If a droopy eyelid is cosmetic and does not meet NHS criteria, correction is available privately.
General information only, not medical advice. Wait or Pay is independent and is not the NHS. Your GP decides what care, if any, you need.