Is this ptosis? I've had uneven eyelids my whole life; the extra skin can feel irritating and makes my face asymmetrical (photo)

Question

I have had uneven eyelids my whole life; the extra skin can feel irritating and makes my face asymmetrical. What would be required to fix this?

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

Best to have personal consultation. Your eye asymmetry is likely due to multiple factors and there are several options available, including nonsurgical and surgical.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

It doesn't look like you have a ptosis in these pictures.  You do have some asymmetry which appears to be some extra skin on the right side.  There are some excellent oculoplastic surgeons in your area who can evaluate your lids and determine what would be best to help you.

Ben Brown, MD (license emergency restriction) · Answer

Hello emefh7,
While your upper eyelids do appear to be asymmetric, it does not appear that ptosis is the major culprit. One way to diagnose ptosis, which is an abnormally low lid, is to measure the distance between your upper lid margin and the light reflex point on your eye when you are looking at a fixed point. This is called the MRD-1. You should see a plastic surgeon in consultation to have a thorough eye and eyelid exam to determine this measurement as well as other measurements of upper lid function.
Your asymmetry appears to be related to at least two factors: dermatochalasis, which is excess skin of the lid, and asymmetric supratarsal folds. These can be addressed with blepharoplasty surgery.

Is this ptosis? I've had uneven eyelids my whole life; the extra skin can feel irritating and makes my face asymmetrical (photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Ptosis Surgery

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Is this ptosis? I've had uneven eyelids my whole life; the extra skin can feel irritating and makes my face asymmetrical (photo)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Ptosis Surgery

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