I Have One Eye That Opens More Than the Other? (photo)

It's not unusual for patients to have orbital asymmetry. In your case, your right eye seems much smaller than your left eye. This appears to be related to a phenomena called eyelid ptosis.This condition occurs when the muscle that elevates the eyelid becomes detached or is weakened. This results in the characteristic drooping that's seen in your pictures. When this situation arises, it's not unusual for the opposite eyelid to elevate. This sympathetic response tends to make the opposite eye look larger.Although your pictures are helpful, a definitive diagnosis will depend upon a physical examination. For this reason, consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is appropriate. This surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that addresses your anatomic findings and achieves your aesthetic goals.

Yes, this can be fixed. The long term effects are hard to change; however, you would need to see an ophthalmologist that does strabismus surgery. They can help correct the asymmetry in your eyes. Good luck!DrC

#drooping of the #eyelids and asymmetrythere is weakness in the right muscle that lifts the lid and the left side is overcompensatingcorrection of this muscle will help

The difference you are describing is related to ptosis of the upper eyelids. This can be from weakening or loss of the levator muscle or Muller's muscle. It is correctable if it's bothersome to you.

Thank you for sharing the photo and your question. The right eyelid is drooping which can actually cause you to open the opposite lid even higher. There are 3 commonly performed surgical procedures by oculoplastic surgeons to correct the asymmetry. Your right eyelid can be elevated to the level of your left lid. Good luck.

Hi @BigEye,
There are a few options to help with your prominent eyes. After properly performing a physical exam we would need to perform a field of vision test, measure your margin to light reflex on both sides and then determine if you have eyelid ptosis known as a "droopy eyelid" which is being compensated for on both sides. The other could be a retracted left upper eyelid which we can release to bring to a more normal position. 
Thanks!
K. Chopra, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon

Johns Hopkins Trained

Face, Body and Breast Expert

This is likely to be difference in the length of the eye opening mechanism called elevator but you would need a dynamic examination and compare both sides. If this is indeed an issue there is corrective surgery that can be undertaken.
Wish you the best in your journey,
Dr Leo Kim, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney

 It is very difficult to tell from just one animated photograph what is really going on. An in-person examination is required to make a determination about being a candidate for blepharoplasty procedure. It's also important to rule out ptosis, which is a muscle weakness of the upper lid which creates a roller shading  of one eyelid  down across the black part of the pupil. Everyone has some  degree of eyelid asymmetry  which also needs to be recognized.

Over the internet very hard to exactly advise. But either a right levitator repair/BOTIX injections or both vs a left eyelid direct Botox injection to drop it. But again seek ONLY in person evaluations. 

What you describe sounds like levator ptosis.  This is a condition where the muscle that opens your eye has a  weak, stretched attachment to the eyelid and thus struggles to open the eye.  It typically gets worse as the day goes on because the struggling muscle fatigues.  You also frequently see the other eye open too far since your brain tends to signal both eyelid muscles together, meaning that the eye with the normal attachment gets over-opened as your brain desperately tries to get the droopy one to open at all.  A proper exam should be able to confirm your diagnosis.

The correction of levator ptosis involves strengthening the attachment of the muscle to the eyelid.  There are two approaches to the surgery.  One is through the inside of the eyelid and the other involves an incision in the skin on the outside.  The outside method is generally more successful but is slightly more involved and does leave a scar. . . although it is pretty inconspicuous.