UNEVEN EYES

[mrs.chopper]

My eyes are totally uneven!  It is literally ruining social life.  I can't look anyone in the eyes for more than a few seconds at a time to hopefully keep them from noticing...which they do.  I know, I've been told it's noticable.  Its the actual socket.  I've literally held a level up to my face and the left eye is almost a half inch lower than the right one.  it seems my whole face on that side is a little lower and it has gotten worse over the years.  On top of that the left eye is way more sensitive  to everything.  When I cry, it gets swollen for the whole day like I'd been hit.  The other is fine.  The right eye is bright and pretty.  The left one is dull and dead looking.  To make matters worse, it's turned in a millimeter or so.  It seems to be getting weaker and weaker.  It's all I think about everyday.  It's consuming my life.  The eyes are supposed to be windows to your soul and I feel like there's nothing there.  I can't even hold a conversation with someone.  I'm too ashamed.  Stupid, I know.  But I know somethings not right and its bot getting better.  What could be causing all of this?  I'm worried I'm falling into a depressed state because of this, which isn't helping.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[JodieJ]

The problem of your eye turning inward (toward your nose) is probably due to an eye muscle imbalance.  It is often correctable by a painless outpatient procedure.  (It was for me.)  I think that successful eye muscle surgery would give a big boost to your self-confidence.  See a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in strabismus (sometimes called a pediatric ophthalmologist, but they see adults, too.)  You can use the doctor directory at www aao org.  BTW, I don't think that anybody's face has perfect symmetry if you examine it very closely.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[mrs.chopper]

One of my strongest concerns is that it has gotten worse over the years, indicating to me an underlying issue.  I never even noticed it myself until someone pointed it out to me about 10 years ago.  Since then the difference has become larger and larger in the height issues between one eye and the other.  And also, the turning in of the eye has become much more prominent.  I'm only 29.  If this continues, how will I look in 10 yrs? 15? 20?  I don't even want to think about it.  The other parts of my face like the slight unevenness of my smile are only minimal.  As far as the eye socket goes, is there no way for a surgeon to correct this?  But couldn't this be a nerve problem or muscle loss causing this that I should be concerned about?  Things like that need to be diagnosed asap, am I right?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I suspect that like most flaws and blemishes its much more apparent and bothersome to you than your friends and not even noticed by most causal encourters you have.

Nevertheless the correction of major skull dysostoses is generally NOT done on adults.

I suggest you see a oculoplastic surgeon and a facial cosmetic/reconstructive surgeon. Perhaps the faculty of a medical school would be a good choice. They can delineate your options.

If its "live with it" seriously see a psychiatrist and work through your depression.

JCH MD