What's the difference between ptosis surgery and a bleph?

Both procedures are done through an incision in the upper eyelid crease. The blepharoplasty is done to remove excess skin to make the eyelid crease and space between the bottom of the brow and the upper eyelid more visible. The ptosis repair is done to correct a hanging eyelid that hangs too much over the iris or the colored part above the pupil. This will result in a more open eyelid. Some patients need both procedures to be done at the same time. Others need one or the other.

A ptosis surgery is done to elevate an eyelid which is too low. The lid is usually in front of the pupil and can restrict vision.  The muscle which elevates the lid is often weak or stretched, and in the surgery the muscle is tightened to elevate the lid.  A blepharoplasty is a surgery where excess upper eyelid skin and fat are removed.  A person having a ptosis repair can also have the blepharoplasty if they have excess skin.  If a patient has a ptosis, they may use their brow to help elevate the lid.  When the lid is elevated surgically, the brow may then relax, and will appear to fall.  You should see an oculoplastic surgeon who can evaluate your eyelid muscles and decide what type of surgery would be best for you.       

They are two different surgeries. Blepharoplasty only correct the excess skin over the eyelids and it may even correct the fullness over the eyelid with removal of fat from the eyelids. Ptosis is correction of droopy upper eyelids and opening of the eyelids. It has to do with the eye muscles and we correct the ptosis with muscle surgery. this could be with levator advancement or Muller muscle resection.  

Great question!  This is a question that confuses many patients.  Blepharoplasty is a general term that is used to describe eyelid surgery, whether it be on the upper or lower eyelid. An upper blepharoplasty procedure is designed to address the excess skin and sometimes fat of the upper eyelids.  This surgery is done on patients with normal (or close to normal) eyelid position.  In other words they do not have ptosis where the eyelid droops down towards the pupil and the eyes appear more closed.  A ptosis operation can reposition the low hanging eyelid as well as remove excess skin when necessary.  It is best to seek an experienced eyelid surgeon, because the treatments for these conditions are vastly different, An accurate assessment needs to be made prior to surgery. Best wishes!

Ptosis surgery is done to correct an eyelid that doesn't open wide enough.  The standard eyelid lift removes excess skin and fat which causes puffiness.  The eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty is by far the more common procedure and is done for facial aging.