Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is a type of surgical procedure that can be used to remove excess skin, muscle and sometimes fat from the upper or lower eyelids. In some cases, you might need skin removed but not muscle — or you might need the procedure done on both upper and lower eyelids.

Blepharoplasty can be performed for functional or cosmetic purposes.

Droopy eyelids (ptosis) are a major reason why people consider eyelid surgery to remove and tighten excess eyelid skin. Blepharoplasty can sometimes improve vision by providing a less obstructed field of view, once droopy eyelids are improved.

An upper eyelid blepharoplasty (eye lift) should not be confused with upper eyelid ptosis surgery, which raises the position of the upper eyelid margin by tightening the muscle and tendon that normally elevate it.

Blepharoplasty surgery can sometimes elevate an upper eyelid margin slightly if the heaviness of the excessive skin is actually "weighing down" the upper eyelid, causing it to droop.