Is there a surgery to fix my uneven eyes? (photo)

Question

I’m an 18 year old female and I’ve had uneven eyes since I was young, this is my biggest insecurity. I can’t even look my boyfriend in the eyes without feeling insecure. I’m not sure if it’s my eyelids that makes them look uneven or if it’s my literal eyes being uneven. What surgery would help this? Or would surgery help at all? How much would it cost? My biggest wish is to fix this.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Yes, your left eye is higher than the right. This may seem like an overwhelming issue for you. However, the vast majority of individuals you interact with will never see this. The surgery needed to address this is not cosmetic and it will most likely disfigure you is ways subtle and not so subtle. Sadly if you knock on enough doors, someone will offer you surgery. What I recommend for you is working with a psychologist who offers care for individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. They can help you overcome obsessive thoughts about your appearance and avoid expensive and potentially harmful surgery. Don't go blind in an effort to fix and issue that no one else can see.

Allison Yee, MD, FACS · Answer

It appears that your actual eyeballs are sitting in different positions. You right eye may be sitting lower (hypoglobus) or your left eye may be sitting high (hyperglobus). Frequently this is a physiologic condition that people are born with. However, there are a number of other causes that need to be ruled out before determining which treatment would be the correct one for you. I recommend that you see an Oculoplastic surgeon who has experience in orbital diseases.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

What you have is aesthetic vertical orbital dystopia (VOD) which means there is a 5mm or less discrepancy between the two orbital boxes. (the eye and all structures that surround it) Your right orbital box is lower by probably 3mms or so. The lower upper eyelid is just one symptom of VOD but it is everything that is lower. (eyebrow, brow bone, upper eyelid, eyeball, infraorbital rim, lower eyelid and cheek bone) Thus any surgical approach to VOD correction must incorporate adjustments of most if not all of the periorbital anatomy to look right. You can't just correct one component of it (e.g., raise the upper eyelid as more of the iris or sclera of the eye will show just making the asymmetry look worse) A 3D CT scan is needed to clearly show the anatomic differences at the bone level from which VOD treatment planning can be done.

Is there a surgery to fix my uneven eyes? (photo)

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Is there a surgery to fix my uneven eyes? (photo)

Answers (3)

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