Is it normal to have some eye asymmetry? (photos)

Question

I feel disheartened when I look at myself in pictures as one eye is smaller than the other. I would love a professional opinion as it makes me feel so self conscious and unattractive that I'm considering some sort of surgery. I feel that when I wear makeup it masks the asymmetry but I don't wear makeup often. I don't know if it's normal or unusual. Thank you.

Guy Watts, MBBS (Hons), FRACS (Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your question. The simple answer is yes, it is perfectly normal to be asymmetrical. In fact it would be abnormal to be perfectly symmetrical and if you look closely at all of the famous models they are asymmetrical. It is very easy to be critical of ourselves but you are well within the realm of normality. RegardsDr Guy Watts

Jose Perez-Gurri, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi. You need to understand a very basic concept.......symmetry in the human being does not exists. Whether breasts , eyes or any other part, it is rare to find symmetry. Had you not mentioned it, I would not have noticed anything. Be careful that you don't start down the road of cosmetic surgery that may never achieve the symmetry you are looking for. Good luck

Robert Kotler, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Sabinarai218;If
you analyze most faces, you will see that there is asymmetry. The face is built primarily from a left and
right “building block” that meets in the middle. Often the left and right parts are not
identical, but for most people, close enough, so there is no obvious
difference.But in many, you can
quickly spot the difference if you are looking carefully. Often, one brow tends to be higher than the
other or one eye socket lower than the other. Some people have a face in which the lower third (jaw) does not line up
with the upper third (forehead), and so the middle third of the face has
to be asymmetrical. The nose which sits and spans both right and left
facial portions, is then crooked. All of
these things become obvious when you look very carefully, but in the course of
our daily lives, we rarely analyze faces as is done in a consultation, of
course.

You
should have a professional opinion if this asymmetry presents
an issue or problem. Understand that
since it's so common, it may not be a major issue for you; only you know.

It is
good to see specialists who do a lot of eyelid surgery. Ophthalmic plastic surgeons or eye surgeons
who further specialize in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids and
brow would an excellent specialist with whom to consult. I am a big believer in super-specialists which is a medical, not advertising, term.

In modern medicine, knowledge about a particular specialty doubles
every 18 months. No surgeon can master all the
135-plus
plastic surgery procedures. In cosmetic facial surgery (a subdivision of
plastic surgery) a menu of just a half-dozen procedures is
considered proper. Such a narrow practice is the manner of the
cosmetic surgery super-specialist, where the surgeon’s practice is
more of a boutique than a department store. Such cosmetic facial surgeons have generally served
an
additional training period -- beyond board
certification -- known as fellowship training. That surgeon, once he
or she became a specialist, has worked at the side of one or more Master Surgeons
for a year, studying and performing only several procedures.

Fellowship is the highest caliber
credential available. Look for those who are fellowship-trained
and board
certified.Another super-important element of the best consultations:
Computer Imaging. Here’s how that works: photos are taken
of you as you are and uploaded onto a special computer system
that can
morph your present appearance into an anticipated
after-surgery picture. (The technology is also known as Computer Morphing.)
Such
imaging is an incomparable learning tool because it provides a forum for doctor-patient
agreement on an after-surgery result
that would satisfy you and is a result the doctor can deliver. After
all, cosmetic surgery is 100% visual. It's about appearance but without
visuals, everything is left to the imagination.
To anticipate a successful outcome, there must
be a meeting of the minds between surgeon and patient. Why waste your time on a
consultation in which the surgeon can’t demonstrate what he envisions as
the outcome? Would you buy a painting without seeing it? In my opinion, a consultation
without computer imaging is nearly worthless.

Best wishes,
Robert
Kotler, MD, FACS

M. Dean Vistnes, MD · Answer

It is normal to not be totally symmetric. We are always our worse critic and this asymmetry is most likely only apparent to you.

Henri P. Gaboriau, MD, FACS · Answer

Some facial asymmetry is expected. Up to 70% of the general population has some degree of facial asymmetry..eyes, ears.. By looking at your picture it seems that one eyelid (the eye on the side opposite of your piercing) is a bit lower than the other one. That may be caused by what we call Ptosis. I would recommend a consultation with a specialist because if in fact it is the case, then surgery can fix that issue.

Is it normal to have some eye asymmetry? (photos)

Answers (5)

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