As if conditions related to the eye were not intricate enough, even some of the terminology that’s related to vision care is complicated. Take for example, a real tongue twister of a word known as “blepharoplasty,” which is defined as “surgical repair or reconstruction of an eyelid.” Why not just say “eyelid surgery” instead of giving the operation a fancy name. Read on to learn more.

What is the difference between blepharoplasty and eyelid surgery?

Since eye care is so delicate, intricate, and complicated, it is probably natural that some related aspects—such as words and definitions—would also be complex. Further frustrating this matter is the fact that some medical sources use two terms—“blepharoplasty” and “eyelid surgery”—interchangeably. There is, however, one primary difference between each, and that is the purpose of a particular surgical operation on the eyes.

What is a Blepharoplasty?

More often than not, blepharoplasty is performed for cosmetic reasons. The general method behind this procedure involves the removal of excess skin that may have developed on the eyelid to improve overall appearance. Blepharoplasty removes bagginess from lower eyelids and also helps to improve hooding of the upper eyelids.

What are other types of eyelid surgery

Other forms of eyelid surgery are strictly functional and are performed so that a person’s vision is not blocked (literally). Conditions like ptosis—when the eyelid “droops” partially or completely over the eye and prevents a person from being able to see—are more critical and demand different types of specialized surgery. In these operations, the muscles of the eyelid are either tightened or shortened. Ultimately, the eyelid is adjusted so that it may open and close properly.

So, to sum it up—blepharoplasty is a surgery for appearances and the general term that includes all other types of eyelid surgery centers on healthy vision.

We hope that this little riddle has answered your curiosity about both blepharoplasty and general eyelid surgery. The moral of this blog is that there are many different conditions that affect different parts of the eye. If you have any other questions, or in fact are experiencing problems with one or both of your eyelids, get in touch with SightMD by phone or email to set up an appointment for a consultation.