Eye lids drooping - muscle weakness from PMR?

@abd I think I also have a little bit of droopy eyelid but I'm 83 and think it could be due to the aging process. I did find some information on your question but others may also have some thoughts.

"Ptosis can occur later in life (acquired ptosis) if the muscles or ligaments that normally raise your eyelid are weakened by injury or disease. Sometimes, the drooping is a result of damage to the nerves that control your eyelid muscles."
-- Ptosis (Droopy Eyelid): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14418-ptosis-droopy-eyelid

I had droopy eyelids in 2021. Age 75
PMR 2023 Dec. diagnosis
No chg to speak of.

I have definitely noticed my eyelids drooping and I directly blame it on my last year of prednisone. I am 78, but I did not have this problem until this last year. Not happy about it!

I am 73 and noticed my eyes felt like they were at “half mast “ before I was diagnosed with GCA and started on prednisone. Ophthalmologist said eye lids drooping prior to diagnosis and field of vision test indicated limitations. After prednisone, eyes better and field of vision test improved.

I was diagnosed with GCA/PMR just this past April during a 2 week stay at Mayo in AZ. I am 67. I noticed over the past 6 months or so as I was getting sicker before going through the ER at Mayo, my eyes, especially the left was getting worse. The lids were droopy, my eyesight was blurry & I was having more trouble moving my eyeballs side to side. This was all before the high doses of IV steroids were given in the hospital. Once I got that, my eyes started getting better as far as movement & pain. But unfortunately, the sight in my left eye was affected a bit. I will be seeing the Opthamologist at Mayo soon to talk about saving the vision I have left.
They did an MRI of on me while in the hospital focusing on my eyes & the whole orbital area to see possible damage to veins, muscles, etc. They could see some in left eye area but not sure yet how much they can do. The muscles and nerves around that orbital area help with eye movement & I was told as we age those can get weaker in some people causing droopy lids. Inflammation of that area can too with allergies, sinus issues. And some of us have these autoimmune diseases that do that as well.
I have found that cold face mask on my eye area helps bring down the swelling and my droopy lid & ever present headache though mild seems better too.
Best of health to us all!
What’s interesting to me is

I am 75 and diagnosed with PMR in January and started on Prednisone 15 mg. and tapering now at 9 mg. During the last 2 months my eyelids have become puffy and I have developed bags underneath them along with this have come sty’s in both eyes. I do not go out without dark glasses. My eyes are also blurry and have eye headaches. I have been to see my optomologist 3 times . No GCA . I am on a regime of hot compresses eye drops and lid cleansing pads for sty’s. What is happening to me?!! Is it all PMR / prednisone related?

@momac59 I am sorry for your discomfort and am glad that steroids have helped to some degree. Good luck to you!

@sjc123 same here.. puffy eyelids,,, big bags underneath along my eyes and now sty’s in both eyes as well as blurry and headache but no GCA. I feel ugly and so tired looking. Not a happy camper either!! Thank heaven for dark glasses! Best to you!

I also have big bags under both eyes - left far worse - and blurry vision, Have been on Prednisone 18 months having tapered from 40 mg to 7.5 am trying to use just 5 mg but the pain in shoulders in AM returns. I cannot read the subtitles on my TV in the evenings. An eye doctor suggested cataract surgery. Has anyone had cataract surgery that resulted in better vision or reduced eye bags while on Prednisone for PMR? I'm 86 and this Pred is my first prescription drug in my life outside of occasional antibiotics.

@southfork6800
Had cataracts before PMR but the 6 months of prednisone accelerated them. Had surgery on both eyes and can see so much better.