During the height of her film career in the 1970s and 1980s, actor Zeenat Aman captivated audiences with her glamorous charm, immense grace and talent. Today, she continues to gain love not only for her body of work, but also for her unfiltered persona on Instagram. In a latest post, she addressed an ‘elephant in the room’ – her drooping eyelid that has been talked about since she once revealed she had been a victim of physical abuse. Due to an injury several years ago, Zeenat Aman has damaged muscles around her right eye, a condition called ptosis.
Zeenat Aman talks about ptosis
The 71-year-old, who has played some unforgettable roles on screen, often shares personal anecdotes that inspire her fans to never lose their inner spark. Just like no one is immune to the highs and lows of life, Zeenat Aman is no exception. Her heartwarming post on Instagram gives us a glimpse into her struggle with ptosis that clouded her vision and made her journey more difficult in an industry where appearance matters.
She wrote: ‘There has been an elephant in my room for the past forty years. It’s time to show this elephant the door. I have a condition known as ptosis, the result of an injury I suffered decades ago that damaged the muscles around my right eye. Over the years my eyelid drooped more and more. And a few years ago it became so acute that it started to obscure my vision.”
It was difficult for Zeenat Aman to come to terms with her predicament and a dramatic change of circumstances. Being in the public eye made it difficult for her to conceal her condition for long. However, the naysayers and skeptics did not deter her spirit.
“When so much of your career depends on your appearance, it’s difficult to come to terms with a dramatic change. I’m sure this ptosis reduced my chances and made me the subject of unwanted attention. But despite the gossip, the comments and the questions, I never felt slighted by it. Of course, it helped that there were always a few loyal people who supported me and chose to still work with me,” Zeenat said.
Zeenat Aman undergoes surgery for ptosis treatment
For decades, the treatment options available to her were unsuccessful. She hid the condition behind sunglasses or hair. This year brought her happy news and a glimmer of hope when a leading ophthalmologist told her that things had improved and that surgery to lift the eyelid and restore her field of vision was possible.
Even the faintest idea of having surgery left her feeling intimidated and shocked. But after undergoing a series of tests, she ultimately decided to undergo the procedure, with her loved ones supporting her through difficult times. After an hour of surgery she came out of the operating room. In her words she emerged: “Alive, healthy and looking like a pirate with an eye patch.”
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“The recovery has been slow, steady and continues. But I’m happy to say that my vision is so much clearer now,” added Zeenat Aman, who even shared a photo of her son Zahaan kissing her forehead to reassure her before wheeling her to the OR.
Check out Zeenat Aman’s ptosis post on Instagram!
What is ptosis?
Ptosis, commonly known as drooping eyelid, is a medical term used to describe the drooping or sagging of the upper eyelid, senior ophthalmologist Dr Y Jayapal Reddy tells Health Shots. This condition can affect one or both eyes and can vary in severity, ranging from a mild drooping to increased coverage of the eye. Ptosis can occur in individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly. It can be caused by several factors and can lead to both cosmetic and functional problems.
Congenital ptosis is typically noticed in childhood, while age-related ptosis is more common in adults over 40 years of age. Also, neurological and traumatic causes of ptosis can affect people of different ages.
What causes eyelid ptosis?
Some common causes of ptosis include:
1. Age-related ptosis is the most common and results from weakened eyelid muscles during the aging process
2. Congenital ptosis occurs from birth and often requires treatment if vision is impaired
3. Neurological disorders, such as myasthenia gravis or Horner’s syndrome, can affect the control of the eyelid muscles, leading to ptosis
4. Trauma to the eyes can damage the muscles or nerves and cause ptosis
5. Although rare, tumors in or around the eyelid area can be another cause of ptosis
What is the treatment for ptosis?
Treatment options include observation for mild age-related ptosis, surgery for moderate to severe cases requiring eyelid muscle adjustment, addressing underlying medical or neurological conditions if present, temporary solutions such as eyelid crutches or ptosis crutches to support the eyelid and improve vision, and in specific cases, using Botox injections for temporary relief, says Dr. Reddy.