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Asymmetrical eyes are common and often not cause for concern. A person may have one eye bigger than the other due to genetics, age, and lifestyle factors, among other causes.
In rare cases, having asymmetrical eyes may indicate an underlying medical condition. Most of the time, however, this is not a cause for concern.
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 some 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 members of their family have similar features.
Having asymmetrical eyes as a result of 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, 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,
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.
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
- headaches
- 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
- changes in sexual desire or function
- enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter)
- fatigue
- heart palpitations
- menstrual changes
- sensitivity to heat
- sweating
- unintended weight loss
Stroke
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
Asymmetrical facial features are normal and common. 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, for those who wish to address uneven eyes, several cosmetic procedures and home remedies are available.
In some cases, a medical condition may be causing facial asymmetry. In these cases, treating the underlying condition may help reduce the appearance of uneven eyes.
Anyone concerned about their facial asymmetry can speak to their doctor. It is also a good idea to seek medical attention if the asymmetry came on suddenly or if it is causing vision problems or other symptoms.