Zeenat Aman said she got treated for the condition, which was a result of an injury she suffered around her right eye 40 years ago. It only worsened with time and started to 'obstruct' her vision.
Veteran actor Zeenat Aman on Tuesday opened up about getting treated for a condition called ‘ptosis ‘, which leads to the drooping of the upper eyelid. The actor said the condition was a result of an injury she suffered around her right eye 40 years ago, which only worsened with time and started to “obstruct” her vision.
Zeenat Aman took to Instagram and posted a long note detailing how ptosis made her receive “unwanted attention” and also the subject of gossip. The 71-year-old actor said in May earlier this year, she finally got it treated at Mumbai’s Hinduja hospital.
“There has been an elephant in the room with me for the past 40 years. It is time to show this elephant the door. I have a condition know as ptosis – the result of an injury I suffered many decades ago that damaged the muscles around my right eye. Over the years, it caused my eyelid to droop further and further. And a few years ago it became so acute that it began to obstruct my vision,” her post read.
Zeenat Aman said the condition led to limited work opportunities because an actor’s career depends a lot on their “appearance” and a drooping eyelid wasn’t something that was well received. Still, the veteran said, she never let herself feel “diminished” by her condition and thanked “few stalwarts” who stood by her.
“When so much of one’s career is predicated on one’s appearance, coming to terms with a dramatic change to it is difficult. I know for a fact that this ptosis narrowed my opportunities and made me the subject of unwanted attention. But despite the gossip, the comments, and the questions, I never felt diminished by it. It helped of course that there were always a few stalwarts that stood by me and chose to work with me still.“The treatments available to me at that time, and for decades after, were unsuccessful. Then this year in April, a leading ophthalmologist informed me that things had advanced, and a surgery to lift the eyelid and restore my field of vision was possible.”
The actor said she “dithered” for a long time and then underwent a battery of tests and finally committed to the procedure. Zeenat Aman said her recovery has been “slow and steady” but was happy to share that her vision is “clearer” now than ever before.
“That morning in the hospital I was terrified. My extremities turned icy and involuntarily shivers racked my body. Zahaan kissed my forehead, reassured me and wheeled me to the OT, where I surrendered to the hands of my medical team. I emerged from there an hour later – alive, well and looking like a pirate with an eye patch.
“Recovery has been slow, steady and is ongoing. But I’m happy to share that my vision is so much clearer now. This post can not conclude without a word of gratitude to my family, the absolutely stellar staff at Hinduja hospital, and especially the brilliant Dr. Savari Desai,” she concluded.
Fans of the actor as well as people from the industry flooded her comments with wishes for her quick recovery. Ekta Kapoor wrote, ” Love love love !!!❤️” while Shweta Bachchan commented, “God speed ❤️”. Actor Dia Mirza wrote, “Love you 🤗💖”
