Difference Between Blepharochalasis and Dermatochalasis

Key Difference – Blepharochalasis vs Dermatochalasis
 

Blepharochalasis and dermatochalasis are benign eye conditions that are uncomplicated on most occasions. Blepharochalasis is characterized by the episodic inflammation of eyelids. In a majority of cases, bilateral upper eyelids are affected. On the other hand, dermatochalasis is the condition that we identify as “baggy eyes” in lay terms. The key difference between blepharochalasis and dermatochalasis is that eyelids are inflamed in blepharochalasis but not in dermatochalasis.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Blepharochalasis 
3. What is Dermatochalasis
4. Similarities Between Blepharochalasis and Dermatochalasis
5. Side by Side Comparison – Blepharochalasis vs Dermatochalasis in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Blepharochalasis?

Blepharochalasis is characterized by the episodic inflammation of eyelids. In a majority of the cases, bilateral upper eyelids are affected. Usually, a patient gets 3-4 attacks per year.

Causes

• Familial angioneurotic edema
• Asher syndrome

Clinical Features

• Painless swelling of the eyelids
• Erythema
• Wrinkling of the skin and skin thinning
• Lacrimal gland and orbital fat prolapse
• Subcutaneous telangiectasia
• Ptosis

Management

Steroids and antihistamines are usually prescribed to counter the ongoing inflammatory processes during an attack. Surgical intervention may be necessary to correct complications such as ptosis and prolapse of the adjacent structures.

What is Dermatochalasis?

Dermatochalasis is the condition that we identify as “baggy eyes” in lay terms.

Causes of Dermatochalasis

• Advanced age
• Thyroid diseases
• Xanthelasma
• Renal failure
• Amyloidosis
• Ehlers Dandlos syndrome
• Traumatic causes

The laxity of ocular muscles, deposition of extracellular matrix substances and fluid accumulation are believed to be the causes of this condition.

In most occasions, dermatochalasis presents as a cosmetic problem, but occasionally the edematous and enlarged eyelids can interfere with the clarity of the person’s superior visual field. In rare circumstances, this can be complicated with dermatitis and blepharitis.

When dermatochalasis presents as a cosmetic problem, surgical treatment can be offered. It is important to properly identify any underlying pathological condition and treat it appropriately rather than attributing it to the advanced age in unusual presentations with other comorbidities.

What is the Similarity Between Blepharochalasis and Dermatochalasis?

• Swelling of the eyelids is the typical feature of both these conditions.

What is the Difference Between Blepharochalasis and Dermatochalasis?

Summary – Blepharochalasis vs Dermatochalasis

Blepharochalasis is characterized by the episodic inflammation of eyelids. In a majority of the cases, bilateral upper eyelids are affected. Dermatochalasis is the condition that we identify as “baggy eyes” in lay terms. Inflammation of the eyelids occurs only in blepharochalasis. This is the difference between blepharochalasis and dermatochalasis.

Reference:

1.Kumar, Parveen J., and Michael L. Clark. Kumar & Clark clinical medicine. Edinburgh: W.B. Saunders, 2009.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Dermatochalasis” By Jmarchn – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia