Forest Whitaker has a hereditary eye condition called ptosis, which causes the drooping of his upper eyelid. This condition is due to the weakening of the muscles that control the eyelid, specifically the levator palpebrae superioris muscle responsible for raising the eyelid
. Whitaker has mentioned that the drooping lid affects his direct line of vision, and he has considered surgery to correct it, not for cosmetic reasons but to improve vision
. Ptosis can be congenital or develop later in life and may impair vision depending on the severity of the eyelid drooping over the pupil
. Treatments range from topical medications like oxymetazoline eye drops, which temporarily lift the eyelid, to surgical procedures that strengthen the eyelid muscles
. Despite the condition, Whitaker continues to have a successful career in acting and filmmaking, and some critics have described his eye condition as "intriguing," which adds to his unique look
. There are no verified reports that his ptosis is due to a stroke or other neurological damage, though ptosis can sometimes be caused by such conditions. Whitaker's ptosis is hereditary and has been present for much of his life
