Why is one eye smaller than the other and can look uneven in pictures? Do you ever notice that your eyes can look uneven in pictures? It’s a really annoying issue that can affect your entire appearance. In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that symmetry is the most important contributing factor to beauty. Unfortunately, having asymmetrical eyes, or one eye that looks smaller than the other, is a pretty common problem. Uneven eyes are typically something you’re born with or can be caused by aging, injury, surgery or eye disease. Believe it or not, even when you think that your eyes are uneven, in most cases, they are pretty much the same size. What you’re seeing might be an illusion. Show Why is one eye smaller than the otherTypically, either one eyelid is drooping or your eyebrows are uneven, the reason why is one eye smaller than the other, and makes your eyes look like they are different sizes because of their proximity to your eyebrows. We have had many Chicago patients come in thinking that one of their eyes is bigger than the other. But once we fix their eyelids and raise their eyebrows, their eyes suddenly look much more symmetrical. Droopy Eyelids Creating the Appearance of Uneven EyesSeverely droopy eyelids are easy to spot. (As long as your eyelid isn’t making things hard to see). However, if your eyelid is drooping ever so slightly, you might not even notice it. Instead, you may just think one eye looks smaller than the other. In most cases, when people think that they have suddenly developed uneven eyes, they actually have ptosis, or drooping of the upper eyelid. The eyes are one of the first places that show signs of aging for many people. You may notice bulging bags developing under your eyes and your upper eyelid beginning droop. Or, you may just start to think that one eye is beginning to look different from the other, caused by these two developments. Eyebrow and Eye SymmetryEyebrows are a powerful facial feature, reflecting expression and facial symmetry. Eyebrow asymmetry can occur when you are born or develop as you get older. As you age, your eyebrows may begin to droop, just like your eyelids. This can actually lead to your eyelids drooping as well, as the skin underneath your lowered eyebrows gets pushed downwards. Having one eyebrow lower down your face than the other can also create the appearance that one of your eyes is smaller than the other due to its proximity to the brow. A brow lift and/or forehead lift can help raise your skin and eyebrows up to a symmetrical position. Typically, brow lifts are performed with a forehead lift, as the forehead skin often needs to be repositioned in order to raise the eyebrows and eyelid skin. Brow lifts, forehead lifts and/or facelifts can also be done in conjunction with blepharoplasty, which can give your eyes the most symmetrical appearance possible. If you are not interested in surgery just yet, don’t worry. For a less invasive first step, many patients choose to receive BOTOX® to raise their eyebrows. Though the degree of elevation is limited, it can be a good way to see if eyebrow elevation gives you the eye symmetry you are looking for, since Botox is non-surgical. Dysport® and Xeomin® work similarly to BOTOX®, offering even more minimally invasive treatment options for patients who would rather avoid surgery. Since each of these neuromodulators comes with their own unique benefits, Dr. Dayan will help you decide which one is best for you. Patients can also opt for ThermiSmooth, a completely non-invasive skin tightening treatment. By targeting your problem area with carefully controlled heat, ThermiSmooth can tighten your drooping eyelid or eyebrow and bring more symmetry to your eyes. Symmetry is the key to beauty. And with the right cosmetic treatments, we may be able to get your eyes looking beautifully symmetrical. To find out if blepharoplasty or a brow lift and forehead lift can correct your uneven eyes, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with our facial experts in Chicago. We will be able to help you discover the cause of why is one eye smaller than the other, and suggest the proper treatment. Last Updated on January 29, 2021 by Dr Dayan When you look in the mirror, do you see uneven eyes or other facial features that seem a little off? Does one of your eyes appear larger than the other? What can you do about it? It’s not normal, right? What if someone notices? Is it possibly something that you should be worried about? Let’s find out. Causes of Mismatched EyesYou can blame your mom and dad for this one. Genetics are a common cause of eyes being different sizes. You probably look a lot like your parents or grandparents. If you really pay attention, they might have one eye that is bigger than the other or placed just a little higher than the other one too. You may have never noticed, just like no one has probably ever noticed your eyes are also asymmetrical. Trauma to the eye can also cause mismatched eyes. Car accidents or injuries while playing sports are examples of how this can happen. Injuries like this can cause the eye to sink or appear to droop. This can lead to the eventual feeling of the eyes pulling downward, causing sinus problems and other facial pain. Droopy eyelids can be seen at birth or appear later with a condition called Ptosis. When the muscle that holds your eyelid up stretches too far or becomes unattached from the eyelid, the eye will droop and appear lower than the other. Some people have one or both eyes protruding or bulging. This is most commonly caused by Graves’ disease, where the area behind and around the eye swells and then pushes the eyeball forward. This can also happen as a result of a tumor or infection. How to Treat Mismatched EyesTreatment for mismatched eyes is not usually needed at all. There are, however, things you can do to may your eyes seem more symmetrical.
Should You Be Worried?Although you may be asking yourself, “why is one eye bigger than the other”? The answer is, most people’s eyes are not perfectly even. It’s totally normal. As long as you know that it isn’t due to a medical condition or it doesn’t hinder your vision, you should not be worried at all. In fact, it is extremely rare for asymmetrical eyes to be caused by a medical condition in the first place. If you find yourself still wanting to know more, call us to schedule an eye exam. We would love to answer any questions you may have as well as teach you more about healthy vision habits for the future.
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD. Christopher Osborne has been a wikiHow Content Creator since 2015. He is also a historian who holds a PhD from The University of Notre Dame and has taught at universities in and around Pittsburgh, PA. His scholarly publications and presentations focus on his research interests in early American history, but Chris also enjoys the challenges and rewards of writing wikiHow articles on a wide range of subjects. This article has been viewed 215,433 times.
Co-authors: 7 Updated: July 19, 2022 Views: 215,433 Categories: Vision
Medical Disclaimer The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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