Why are my eyes noticeably asymmetrical? (Photo)

Question

I recently noticed that my left eye is significantly smaller than my right and is also lower down on my face. Why is this, and how can I fix it. I'am 19 years old, if it matters.

Bryan Mendelson, MD, FRACS, FACS (retired) · Answer

There is a difference
between the 2 sides of the face that is normal. It usually becomes apparent in the
early twenties and becomes more noticeable over the years. It’s because we all
have a dominant, stronger eye. When you look at newsreaders on television, you
will notice that you are preferentially looking into one eye, their stronger communicating
one.

This information comes from my
experience in facial surgery, which requires so much observation. So many
people request correction of a difference of the brow height or difference of
the upper eyelid at the time facelift surgery.

Patients are surprised to find that
the 2 sides of their face are not a matched, mirror imaged pair! Usually it is the
left side of the facial skeleton that is smaller, centered around the eye, involving
the bone of the orbital cavity as well as the surrounding bone of the brow and
cheek., Because the eyeball is deeper set the left eye seems smaller as well as
sitting lower down than the right.

Because the cause is the bone structure
and because the eyeball is the central part of it, there is little benefit from
building out the bone to match the other side, because the eye doesn't move and
visually, the eye difference would become exaggerated.

You will find that other people do not notice
what you see, just as you have not noticed this on other people! This is partly
because its detection requires specific analysis, holding the head still as you
do when studying your face in a mirror. Also, because we are subconsciously
attuned to people having a weaker side.

The short answer is that, at this
stage there is nothing to be done. Later, in life, if you have some facial
rejuvenation surgery, some camouflage adjustments could be included that reduces
the visible difference of the brow height, the upper lid fold or the cheek
prominence.

Why are my eyes noticeably asymmetrical? (Photo)

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Why are my eyes noticeably asymmetrical? (Photo)

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