One eye appears bigger than the other - how can this be fixed? (Photo)

Question

Hi. I feel like one of my eyes is bigger and the top eyelid is biggwe than the other.. what surgery would i need?

Serdar Bora Bayraktaroglu, MD · Answer

To correct an eye or upper eyelid appearing larger than the other, the correct surgery depends entirely on the anatomical cause. If one lid droops, a ptosis repair tightens the lifting muscle. If one eyelid sits unnaturally high or shows excess height, a lid-lowering adjustment is needed. When asymmetry stems from hooding or uneven fat pads, a customized upper blepharoplasty restores balance. Alternatively, if a low eyebrow causes the tissue to crowd, a brow lift is required. Consult a board-certified surgeon to accurately diagnose your specific asymmetry and determine the precise surgical intervention needed.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello!

It would be helpful to see you in person so that your issues can be better addressed and we can come up with a plan! Please call 312-944-0117 to book a consultation!

Kadir Berat Oyur, MD · Answer

We have reviewed your question. We recommend consulting an experienced eye specialist for further evaluation and appropriate treatment options.

Yasemin Aydinli, MD · Answer

Mild eyelid asymmetry is extremely common, and the right procedure depends on the cause: excess eyelid skin (blepharoplasty), a drooping lid margin (ptosis repair), or brow position asymmetry (brow lift). From your description a unilateral ptosis or skin excess is most likely, and these are addressed differently, so accurate measurement of lid height and levator function is the key first step. Photos alone can suggest but not confirm the diagnosis.

Eric Chang, MD · Answer

When one eye looks bigger than the other, the eyeball itself is almost never actually different in size. What’s happening is usually one of three things: the upper eyelid sits slightly lower on one side due to ptosis, extra skin is folding down over one eyelid more than the other, or a difference in brow height that is pushing one lid down without you realizing it. Each of these has a different fix, so knowing the underlying cause is crucial to optimal outcomes.

It’s also worth noting that some degree of asymmetry is completely normal, and a difference of a millimeter or two between eyes falls within what most people would never notice standing in front of you. The way to sort this out is by measuring exactly where each eyelid margin sits relative to your pupil, which only takes a few minutes during an exam but cannot be reliably determined from a photo alone. A board-certified plastic surgeon can pinpoint the exact cause and recommend the right procedure.

Julian De Silva, MD · Answer

Hi Vivid252850, thank you for your question and photo. When one eye appears bigger, it is almost never the eyeball itself. From your description and photo, the usual causes are a slightly lower upper lid on one side (ptosis, a weakness of the lid-lifting muscle), extra skin folding over one lid, or a difference in brow height pushing one lid down. Each of those has a different operation, and choosing the wrong one makes things worse rather than better. It is also worth saying that every face has some asymmetry, and lids that differ by a millimetre are within normal. The key measurement is where each lid margin sits relative to the pupil, which takes minutes to assess in person. I would see an oculoplastic-trained surgeon for an in-person examination before deciding on any surgery, and I would be cautious of anyone offering an operation without first naming the precise cause.

One eye appears bigger than the other - how can this be fixed? (Photo)

Answers (6)

More Eyelid Surgery Questions

Genetic, worse with weight loss. How to fix my undereye hollows? (Photos)

Male, 21. What procedure would you recommend for my eye area? (Photos)

How can I address this weird bulging and hollowing underneath my eyes? (Photos)

Upper bleph left me not feeling like myself - What can be done to bring my eyes close to presurgery 3.5 years post op? (Photos)

22M, what procedure would help my prominent eyes/eyelid exposure? (Photos)

Eyes are looking tired, upper bleph and under eye fat transfer? (Photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS