Having one eye bigger than the other is common (asymmetrical eyes) and it should never be a matter of concern. On the other hand, a perfectly symmetrical face is uncommon. Asymmetrical facial features may be noticeable only to you but not others.
Your eyes may seem uneven dues to skin changes that happen as you age, and it is rarely a reason for concern. Rarely is this condition medical, but sometimes there can be underlying issues. Those with uneven facial features should know it is normal and desirable to the other group with symmetrical features.
Causes of one Eye Bigger than the Other
Asymmetrical eyes are significantly caused by genetics, like other body features we possess. A closer look at your relatives will reveal that you are not the only one with uneven eyes, but it runs in your family. However, there are other sources of this condition, as detailed below, with their associated symptoms.
1. Enophthalmos / Proptosis
It is a condition that changes the posterior placement of the eye and injury-causing the eye to sink—the space behind the eye changes causing a displacement that can be sudden or gradual.
Traumatic experiences like a direct hit on the face in an accident can affect one eye. Some medical conditions that affect the sinus activity behind the eyes can also lead to this condition. It may be asymptomatic in some cases apart from one eye drooping or sinking.
The causes for a sinking eye vary, but you may notice changes like a pull under the eye, pains on the affected side, or sinus-related problems. Besides, these conditions can also cause this condition:
- Acute sinusitis
- Unknown sinus syndrome
- Paget disease
- Sinus tumours
- Bone defects
Besides eye displacement, one can also experience these symptoms:
- Pain in the eye
- Pulsing in the affected eye
- Fever
- Vision issues
2. Ageing
Facial unevenness is significant with age as tissues soften, causing the facial skin to relax. As you age, the cartilage in the body, especially around the nose, continues to grow while bones don’t. Such differences can cause an imbalance of a kind to the body.
3. Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle factors like smoking can cause droopy eyelids. Also, excessive exposure to the sun can make the skin around your eyes lose and damage one side of your face.
4. Ptosis
Droopy eyelid is a condition that can be present at birth or can develop and is common among senior people. The disorder happens when the levator muscle that holds the eyelid stretches until it droops. As a result of this detachment, the appearance is one eye bigger than the other. Thus, one is higher than the other.
Ptosis can affect both eyes in some cases, and the most common cause is age or neurological conditions like tumours or stroke. In medical issues like this, where the eyelid droops to the extent of hindering proper vision, surgery is the correct situation.
Treatment for one eye bigger than the other
Having one eye bigger than the other is not a reason for concern unless disturbing symptoms are mentioned earlier. Most cases do not require treatment, especially if the cause is genetics or ageing.
Those with medical issues require treatment, which is necessary if the condition is causing vision issues. Cosmetic surgeries are performed on people who wish to correct asymmetrical eyes for personal reasons. Treatment includes:
1. Addressing underlying medical conditions
Getting treatment for uneven eyes can make them less noticeable and build one’s confidence. For instance, treating the severe disease can stop eyes from protruding out of their sockets. If you are diagnosed with an illness or condition contributing to uneven eyes, seek medical attention.
2. Botox
Although it is mostly used as a cosmetic solution, it is also a nonsurgical solution to facial asymmetry. Botox is injected around the eyebrows to relax muscles, and it contains a bacterium relaxer called Clostridium botulinum. As a result, the eyebrows are lifted, reducing the uneven eye appearance, and its effects last from 3 – 6 months.
3. Brow Lift
It is a cosmetic procedure that lifts the eyebrows giving the face a youthful look, thus better facial symmetry. The process is performed while the patient is under general anaesthesia, and there are different techniques a surgeon can use. However, there are risks involved:
- Bleeding
- More pronounced asymmetry might require further surgeries.
- Hairline changes or hair loss
- Infections
- Allergic reactions to the anaesthesia
- Pronounced Scarring
- Skin numbness(Permanent or Temporary)
NOTE: The procedure does not bring about permanent solutions, and ageing or sun damage can still cause the skin to droop.
4. Makeup
Facial makeup can make your facial appearance more symmetrical by contouring or highlighting. Using these techniques can make certain features more prominent and bring out a balanced look. If you noticed that one eye is bigger than the other, you could use online tutorials to make your appearance symmetrical by utilizing an eyebrow pencil or powder.
Conclusion
Having one eye bigger than the other might be considered normal because no one is perfect. People tend to criticize themselves too much, yet those around them might not even notice any uneven features.
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