Romesh Ranganathan is one of the UK’s most popular comedy personalities and is among the final few celebrities in tonight’s final of the series Celebrity Traitors. In a game where players read every glance, Romesh Ranganathan has had viewers looking closely at his eyes all series.
Throughout much of his career, Romesh has been publicly open about a medical condition that affects his eye. Romesh’s right upper eyelid droops, widely reported as ptosis, pronounced “toe-sis”(the P is silent, like any good Traitor). The comedian and TV presenter developed the condition after a significant eye infection as a young child, which led to the distinctive appearance of his right eye.
Despite being informed that corrective surgery is possible, Romesh has stated in interviews that he has no intention of pursuing treatment. He’s spoken on multiple occasions that he feels his appearance has played a role in shaping his personality, outlook, and comedy career and that the on-screen representation for people and young children with similar eye conditions matters.
Ptosis (pronounced “toe-sis”) is when the upper eyelid droops lower than normal. It can affect one or both eyes.
No, although people often call a droopy eyelid a “lazy eye”. A lazy eye, or amblyopia, is when the vision in one eye doesn’t develop properly in childhood. Ptosis is about the position of the eyelid. The two can be linked.
In adults, the most common cause is ageing: the tendon that helps the eyelid muscle lift the lid stretches and weakens over time. In children, ptosis is usually present from birth, often because the muscle that lifts the eyelid hasn’t developed fully.
Other causes include:
A mild droop may cause no problems at all. A lower lid can block the top part of your vision, which you might notice when driving, reading or looking up. A more noticeable one can block your vision, and some people tilt their head back or raise their eyebrows to see.
If your child has a droopy eyelid, take them to an optometrist (optician) or GP, even if it seems mild. Children with ptosis need their vision monitored as they grow, because a lid that covers the pupil can lead to a lazy eye. Treatment for a lazy eye works best when it starts early.
Treatment depends on the cause. Many people need no treatment, just regular checks with their optometrist. If the eyelid affects your vision, an operation to tighten the muscle that lifts it is the most common option. Adults usually have it under local anaesthetic.
When is a droopy eyelid an emergency?
Get urgent help at A&E straight away if an eyelid droops suddenly, especially if you also have:
Call 999 if a drooping eyelid comes with other signs of a stroke, such as one side of the face drooping, weakness in one arm or difficulty speaking.
