Asymmetrical Eyes: Causes, Treatments, And Home Remedies

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat to know about asymmetrical or uneven eyes

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Jayne Leonard — Updated on May 21, 2024

Causes
Treatment
Home remedies
FAQ
Summary

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.

Common causes of uneven eyes

Potential causes of asymmetrical eyes include:

Genetics

A close-up photo of a man's face with uneven eyes. Light illuminates his eyes while the rest of his face is shrouded in darkness, creating a dramatic contrast. — Azamat Mukanov/Stocksy United

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

Imaging studies show a significant link between increasing age and facial asymmetry.

As people age, the soft tissues in the face relax. Cartilage, such as that in the nose, continues to grow while the bones do not. These changes can cause asymmetry.

Lifestyle factors

Some lifestyle factors can contribute to uneven eyes. For example, research on sets of twins has linked smoking with upper eyelid ptosis, also known as droopy eyelids.

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.

Conditions that may cause uneven eyes

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 include:

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 may cause enophthalmos, or displacement of the eye. This causes people to appear as if they have a sunken eye.

Sinus conditions

Some sinus conditions can also lead to enophthalmos. These include:

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 include:

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 include:

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

Treatment

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 may stop the eyes protruding.

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 3–6 months.

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 include:

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 most commonly performed aesthetic procedures.

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 rare cases, blindness can occur.

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 may carry out procedures to:

repair fractures
remove tumors
remove bones or fat to treat the effects of Graves’ disease
reconstruct the anatomy of the socket

Like all surgeries, these procedures carry risks.

Home remedies

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.

Frequently asked questions

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.

Summary

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.

Eye Health / Blindness

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bell's palsy. (2024).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/bells-palsy
Gabrielson AT, et al. (2019). The impact of thyroid disease on sexual dysfunction in men and women.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30057137/
Graves’ disease. (2021).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/graves-disease
Kappen IF, et al. (2018). Primary angle-closure glaucoma, a rare but severe complication after blepharoplasty: Case report and review of the literature.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6062712/
Karimi N, et al. (2020). Techniques of eyebrow lifting: A narrative review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7151508/
Levit EK, & et al. (2015). A minimally invasive approach to lower lid blepharoplasty.https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(15)02071-X/abstract
Linden OE, et al. (2018). The relationship between age and facial asymmetry.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30511968
Newman SA, et al. (2021). Orbital surgery: Evolution and revolution.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7987395/
Rodriguez-Sains R. (2022). The sun & your eyes.https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/eye-protection/
Saravanan A, et al. (2023). Enophthalmos.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563300/
Satriyasa BK. (2019). Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: A literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6489637/
Stroke signs and symptoms. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm
Swift A, et al. (2021). The facial aging process from the “Inside Out”.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8438644/
Wang TT, et al. (2017). Discriminative thresholds in facial asymmetry: A review of the literature.https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/37/4/375/2993791

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Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Jayne Leonard — Updated on May 21, 2024

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