A person may have one eye bigger than the other due to genetics, age, and lifestyle factors. In rare cases, asymmetrical eyes may indicate an underlying medical condition.
Although a person may be aware of their own facial asymmetry, it is unlikely that others will notice.
In fact, most people have asymmetrical features, with research indicating that some degree of facial asymmetry is both normal and desirable.
Read on to learn more about asymmetrical eyes, including potential causes and home remedies.
Potential causes of asymmetrical eyes include:
Genetics
Genetics can account for uneven eyes and other types of facial asymmetry.
People with asymmetrical eyes may notice that other family members have similar features.
Having asymmetrical eyes due to genetics is not a cause for concern.
Aging
As people age, the soft tissues in the face relax. Cartilage, such as that in the nose,
Lifestyle factors
Some lifestyle factors can contribute to uneven eyes. For example,
Also, excessive sun exposure can change the skin around the eyes. Sun damage may affect one side of the face more than the other, leading to asymmetry.
Certain medical conditions may cause a person to have asymmetrical eyes, including:
Bell’s palsy
Bell’s palsy is a type of sudden, temporary facial paralysis. It causes one side of the face to droop, affecting the smile and one eye.
Its cause is currently unknown, though it may be due to trauma, nerve damage, or a complication of a viral infection.
Other signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy
- changes in tear or saliva production
- difficulty making facial expressions
- drooling
- jaw or ear pain
Trauma
Sustaining a blow to the face or being involved in a vehicle collision can cause damage to the eye area, leading to asymmetry.
Facial trauma
Sinus conditions
Some sinus conditions can also lead to enophthalmos. These
- chronic maxillary sinusitis
- maxillary sinus tumors
- silent sinus syndrome
With these conditions, changes to the eye can happen suddenly or gradually. They may also cause other symptoms, including:
- fatigue
- nasal discharge
- pain and swelling
- reduced sense of taste and smell
- a sore throat
Graves’ disease
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition that causes an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
People with Graves’ disease can develop proptosis, or bulging eyes. When this affects one eye more than the other, it can lead to asymmetry.
Some other signs and symptoms of Graves’ disease
- anxiety
- enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter)
- fatigue
- heart palpitations
- menstrual changes
- sensitivity to heat
- sweating
- unintended weight loss
changes in sexual desire or function
Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency. It can occur when there is reduced blood flow to the brain.
People can develop sudden facial asymmetry due to stroke. If the drooping is extreme, it may affect a person’s vision.
Other symptoms of stroke
- difficulty speaking and understanding
- a sudden, severe headache
- loss of balance or coordination
- numbness or weakness of the face, one arm, and one leg
- sudden onset of blurred or double vision
In most cases, uneven eyes do not require treatment. This is especially true if the asymmetry is due to genetics or aging.
However, if an underlying medical condition is contributing to facial asymmetry, people may require treatment for the condition. Treatment may also be necessary if asymmetrical eyes are causing vision problems.
Some people may wish to treat uneven eyes for cosmetic reasons.
Possible treatments include:
Addressing underlying medical conditions
In some cases, treating the underlying medical condition responsible can make asymmetrical eyes seem less noticeable.
For example, treating Graves’ disease with radioactive iodine or thyroid medications
Those with a medical condition contributing to eye asymmetry should speak with their doctor about managing their symptoms.
Botox
Botox is a nonsurgical option for facial asymmetry. It involves injecting Botox, which is a muscle relaxer that comes from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, into the area around the eyebrows.
Botox treatment lifts the brows, reducing the appearance of uneven eyes. The effects of Botox typically last for around
Brow lift
A brow lift is a cosmetic procedure that elevates the eyebrows. The aim is to give the face a more youthful appearance and provide greater facial symmetry.
A surgeon might use different techniquesto lift the brow, but they usually perform the procedure under general anesthesia.
Some potential risks of a brow lift
- bleeding
- further asymmetry (though additional surgery can correct this)
- hair loss or changes to the hairline
- infections
- an allergic reaction to the anesthetic
- scarring
- temporary or permanent skin numbness
The results of a brow lift are not permanent. Aging and sun damage can cause the skin to droop again.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is a type of cosmetic surgery that corrects uneven eyelids. It is one of the
During the procedure, a surgeon will remove excess fat, muscle, or skin around the eye area to make the eyes appear more symmetrical.
After this surgery, a person may experience temporary bruising and swelling.
Some other risks include:
- bleeding
- infections
- an allergic reaction to the anesthetic
- scarring
Less commonly, the procedure may cause chronic conjunctivitis (inflammation of a part of the eye) or swelling that lasts for more than three months.
In
Orbital surgery
Orbital surgery is surgery on the eye socket (orbit). There are a few different types of orbital surgery, depending on the problem and the area of the eye socket that it affects.
A surgeon
Like all surgeries, these procedures carry risks.
People with minor facial asymmetry may be able to use home remedies to make their eyes appear more symmetrical, if they wish to.
Some options include:
Makeup techniques
Various contouring and highlighting techniques can reduce uneven eyes and eyebrows. Makeup artists and online tutorials can provide guidance on this.
Some people even use hairstyling techniques to draw attention away from their eyes.
Eyelid tape
Putting eyelid tape on a sagging eyelid can lift the skin, hiding the sagging and asymmetry.
These thin, transparent strips are available to buy in beauty stores.
Below are some commonly asked questions about having one eye bigger than the other.
What does it mean if one eye is bigger than the other?
Generally speaking, having one eye bigger than the other is not a cause for concern and is usually due to aging or genetics.
However, in some instances, it can point to an underlying condition such as Bell’s palsy, trauma, sinus condition, Grave’s disease, or stroke. In this case, a person should seek treatment.
How do you fix uneven eye size?
Uneven eyes typically don’t need treatment unless caused by a medical condition or if their vision is impaired.
That said, cosmetic concerns might also prompt some individuals to seek treatment with Botox, a brow lift, or a blepharoplasty procedure.
Why are my eyes uneven in photos?
If a person’s eyes are uneven in photos, they may have a naturally asymmetrical face which causes one eye to be slightly smaller than the other.
Alternatively, the angle at which someone took the photo could cause the person’s eyes to appear uneven.
Asymmetrical facial features are normal and expected. They are often the result of genetics, aging, or lifestyle factors.
Most people do not notice facial asymmetry in others, and research shows that it may even be a desirable feature.
However, several cosmetic procedures and home remedies are available for those who wish to address uneven eyes.
In some cases, a medical condition may be causing facial asymmetry. Treating the underlying condition may help reduce the appearance of uneven eyes.
Anyone concerned about facial asymmetry can speak with their doctor. It is also a good idea to seek medical attention if the asymmetry occurs suddenly or is causing vision problems or other symptoms.