Eyes suddenly asymmetrical, do I actually need surgery after this change? (Photos)

Question

A week ago, I had concerns about my eyes being asymmetrical, but all the doctors I asked said the asymmetry was only on a mild degree and that surgery wasn’t needed. However, a week later, my eyelids had changed, so I asked doctors again. It seemed that they no longer thought my eyes looked normal, and that I need surgery. Do they look more asymmetrical than before? Do I actually need surgery now? The first photo is of my eyes is from a week ago, and the second is of my eyes right now.

Barry M. Weintraub, MD, FACS · Answer

No one‘s eyes are exactly symmetrical. As a matter fact, if you draw a line down the center of the face bisecting the forehead, nose and chin, you will find that each side of the face -- including the eyes -- are not twins, but siblings. There is the slightest degree of asymmetry in everyone from side to side. I do not see gross asymmetry in your photos, and therefore would not recommend surgery at this point in time. Having said that, there are situations where patients develop ptosis and other ocular anomalies where asymmetry is grossly evident. This is not the case in the photos you have presented.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on presented photos it appears that you eyelid asymmetry is very mild of any. I would not consider surgery as an option to correct it since scarring itself may create more unpredictable result. Hope this helps.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There’s no shortage of providers happy to take your money and there’s no shortage of young and an experienced plastic surgeons who may actually think they can improve your outcome with a surgical procedure. The question is this will give you the outcome you’re hoping for is the big question and I think the chances of that is relatively low, and in fact, you’re most likely regret the decision of having surgery. This is why we are giving you a more realistic, conservative approach.
Unless there’s a good reason, people should avoid it surgeries that can potentially leave people, disfigured, or with undesirable outcomes. This is especially true for procedures that are technically difficult.
I’m hoping you can learn to recognize that the degree of asymmetry you have is very much within normal standards. Attempting to create symmetry will still leave you with some asymmetry. This is almost inevitable when doing eyelid surgery on only one side.
My recommendation is to not have surgery. 
Plastic surgeons are generally highly motivated to want to do surgery. That’s how we make a living. When plastic surgeons are telling patients to hold off on surgery, it’s probably not a bad idea to listen.Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Eyes suddenly asymmetrical, do I actually need surgery after this change? (Photos)

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Eyes suddenly asymmetrical, do I actually need surgery after this change? (Photos)

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.