Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services if sudden ptosis occurs with severe headache, facial drooping, weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, trouble breathing, or difficulty swallowing.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact the child’s eye-care team promptly if:
The eyelid is covering more of the pupil
The child develops a new or increasing chin-up posture
One eye turns inward, outward, upward, or downward
The child seems to favour one eye or has trouble seeing
Ptosis changes noticeably during the day
The eye becomes persistently red, painful, or sensitive to light
The eye does not close properly, especially after surgery
Seek urgent medical assessment for a new or suddenly drooping eyelid, particularly with double vision, an unequal or unusually enlarged pupil, restricted eye movement, or recent head or eye injury.
These symptoms may reflect a problem affecting the brain, nerves, or muscles and should not wait for a routine appointment.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine eye assessment if a baby or child has a drooping eyelid, even if it has been present since birth.
An assessment can show whether the pupil is covered and whether vision, focusing, or eye alignment is affected.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Ptosis - infants and children. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.