Why does one of my eyes look different than the other? (Photo)

Question

As you can tell from my photos one of my eyes is normal looking and the other is smaller and looks squinty. I've looked at photos of myself as a child and didn't notice this issue. I have an astigmatism in both eyes and I wear glasses when at work. The eye with poorer vision also happens to be the one that is smaller and squinty. What could have caused this?

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear chelseashrimer,Your eyes are not only cosmetically different but are also functionally different. I suggest you see an eye specialist to check the functionality and a board certified facial plastic surgeon to remedy cosmetic differences between the eyes to receive the highest-quality knowledge, treatment, care and surgery available.

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

Your right eye appears more bulgy but it is difficult to tell from the 2D photo. I recommend you see an oculoplastic specialist for evaluation.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

You have a slight ptosis on the left.  This can be corrected surgically.  See an oculoplastic surgeon who can evaluate the eyelid muscles and determine which type of ptosis surgery would be best for you.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

It has nothing to do with your astigmatism.Your issue is that your left upper eyelid is ptotic.  That makes your left eye look small.To repair this situation, ptosis surgery is performed.  This opens the droopy side.  There are a couple of types of ptosis surgery.  To get the best possible result, you need a through oculoplastic assessment to determine which ptosis surgery will be best for you.  Downtime for this outpatient surgery is about 10 days.  This is the point were most return to work.  Healing takes longer than this but by this time, the effects of surgery have calmed down enough that most people do not ask what you just had done.  These surgeries are performed under light intravenous sedation so no general anesthesia.I recommend getting several opinions before deciding on your surgeon.

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

Thank you for the question and sharing your photos. It appears that when you smile the eyelid closes more on the left side than the right. It would be helpful to see if the eye is smaller when you are not smiling. If the eyelid is normal when relaxed, then you have extra nerve stimulation to the eyelids of the left eye. This cannot be corrected. If the upper lid is droopy when not smiling, then it can be raised. You should have in office consultation with an Oculoplastic Surgeon to perform comprehensive evaluation and discuss potential treatment options. Good luck.

Chase Lay, MD · Answer

Thank you for the photos.  This is a very common issue that often times has no underlying pathology associated with it.  But before I go on with my after there can be medical causes of this type of asymmetry and so it is important that you are evaluated by an ophthalmologist.  In any case, no face is symmetric and this is also true of the orbit or the eye socket.  It's very common for 1 to be slightly larger in volume than the other or positioned slightly lower and we don't notice this is much when we are younger.  Once we get into our late 20s or 30s and 40s changes in volume of the face, a volume of the bone, and fat volume of the eye socket can accentuate the differences between the 2 sides.  Most likely your eyeball on the left side isn't a bit lower and or more posterior position than the right.  There are severe cases that can be treated with surgery but for the most part it's not a problem worth operating on.  In particular the differences between the 2 sides are more noticeable in people of Mediterranean or East Indian descent because there I sockets tendon be a little more generous in volume.  Of course this makes for very beautiful eyes but even slight changes in volume between the 2 sides create more obvious asymmetry.  Even if she looks through realself.com in the posting this similar 2 years you'll note that many of these people are of Mediterranean or East Indian descent.  No doubt this occurs and everybody across the globe but certain people with facial structure with large round orbital rims are predisposed to asymmetry being more noticeable.  In severe cases cause by both medical issues and congenital issues I have essentially repositioned the eyeball by reconstructing the orbital floor to create an orbit with less volume to push the eye up and forward.  This is a surgery that a number of Oculplastic and facial plastics training surgeons are qualified to do but again you want to perform the surgery only when really necessary as it comes with significant risks such as permanent double vision and scarring (although that is rare).Best of luck and don't forget you are absolutely beautiful, so keep that in perspectiveChase Lay, MDDouble board-certified facial plastic surgeon

Ira Vidor, MD · Answer

Hi. From the photos you provided it looks like you have ptosis (a droopy lid). Ptosis can usually be corrected with a in office or outpatient surgical procedure. It is important to get a full eyelid and eye exam to measure your eyelid position and muscle function. You should see an oculoplastic surgeon for a consultation. Hope this helps. Best regards, Ira Vidor, M.D.

Lily Lee, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos, they display various degrees of asymmetry between your eyes, which everyone has. However, if it is bothering you enough to post on this website, I would seek an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon who does a lot of eyelid and facial work. Very simple tests and an in person consultation will be able to decipher the reason for the asymmetry between your right and left eyes. The most common reason for eyelid asymmetry is ptosis (droopiness of the upper eyelid) and the treatment for that is fairly straightforward for someone who does a lot of eyelids.

Why does one of my eyes look different than the other? (Photo)

Answers (8)

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