The legend may not be able to see humanity save the planet, not due to his age, but due to an eye condition
Sir David Attenborough is a bona fide national treasure. The renowned wildlife expert has made an astounding impact on British television, gracing our screens for over 70 years to educate Brits on everything nature related.
The documentary narrator recently conceded he is “nearing the end of his life” as he approaches his 99th birthday on May 9. He reflected on his own mortality while discussing his upcoming series for Disney+, premiering later this year.
Considering his age and how favoured he is among the British public, Attenborough’s health is sometimes topic of conversation. In 2021, concern rose when a Netflix video showed Attenborough speaking with one eye closed.
Elsewhere, during a video message to the United Nations Security Council, the iconic broadcaster also seemed to have difficulty with his left eye. Speculation that Attenborough might have suffered a stroke led some to believe his partial eye closure was due to brain damage from a serious health issue, but the true cause has been undisclosed.
Attenborough himself has never publicly addressed these rumours. However, muscles in the eye that are responsible for lifting the eyelid can stretch, leading to ptosis, a condition where the eyelid droops.
This can happen naturally with age, but can also result from an injury, stress, or neurological conditions.
From birth, if a child exhibits a sagging eyelid, it is termed congenital ptosis, generally due to an issue with the levator muscle which is essential in raising the upper eyelid.
A specific variation of this is called Marcus Gunn “jaw winking” syndrome.
In this rare condition, an odd linkage between the levator muscle of the upper eyelid and the nerve activating the jaw causes the eyelid to lift when the child moves their jaw, often observable while the infant is eating.
An optometrist will assess the severity upon examining the affected eye and determine the most suitable treatment route for the patient.
Paediatricians may opt not to immediately treat ptosis, instead monitoring the condition over time. Regular eye examinations will be conducted, with measures such as eye drops, patches, or spectacles employed if the problem escalates. As the child gets older, they will be evaluated for potential surgical needs.
For adults, treatment for ptosis typically involves surgery. This may involve the removal of excess skin and tightening of the muscle that lifts the lid, or reattaching and strengthening that muscle.
Some may be able to avoid surgery by wearing glasses with a special “crutch” built in to lift the eyelids and improve vision. While ptosis can sometimes resolve over time, this is unlikely if the condition has progressed due to ageing.
Regardless of when the condition develops, it’s crucial to seek medical attention for any noticeable or sudden symptoms or eyelid issues as drooping eyelids could be linked to two painful conditions.
Researcher Dr Willem van den Bosch previously told the Express one of these is Entropion, or inward rotation of the eyelid, results in the eyelashes rubbing against the cornea, causing severe eye irritation and potential corneal damage.
Ectropion, or outward rotation of the eyelid, also leads to irritation of both the eye and the eyelid. As the tear duct is no longer in contact with the surface of the eye, tears cannot be easily removed.
Dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) is also an ocular motor disorder where one eye slowly drifts upward when the individual focuses with the other eye. This may sometimes visible to others or only seen after a medical test.
Despite potential health issues, Attenborough appears to be in relatively good health for his age, as far as is publicly known. His eye condition has not led to any long-term complications or hindered him from performing his duties.
