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Can My Eye Shape Change?

Published in Eye Anatomy 2 mins read

Generally, the shape of your eyes, as it appears to you and others, will not change after childhood and adolescence. While your eyes will grow as you develop, the fundamental shape remains largely constant, dictated primarily by your genetics.

How Eye Shape is Determined

Eye shape is primarily determined by genetics, which means that the basic structure of your eyes is inherited from your parents. This includes factors like:

  • The shape of your eyelids: Whether you have hooded eyelids, monolid eyes, or almond-shaped eyes, this is typically determined by your genetics.
  • The position of your eyes: The way your eyes are set within the sockets is also primarily influenced by genetics.
  • The slant of your eyes: Whether your eyes have an upward or downward slant is another genetically determined trait.

What Doesn't Change?

While the size of your eyes will change during your childhood and adolescent years, according to the reference, the shape of your eyes as they appear to you and others will not generally change. Here's a more detailed look at aspects that typically remain constant:

Aspect Description Change?
Eyelid Shape Whether the eyelids are hooded, monolid, or have a crease. Rarely
Eye Position The placement of eyes in the eye sockets. No
Eye Slant The angle of the eyes (upward or downward). No
Overall Shape The general appearance of the eye, such as almond-shaped or round. Rarely

What Might Be Mistaken for Shape Change

It's important to note that there are a few factors that people may perceive as a change in eye shape, when in reality it is an illusion:

  • Aging: The skin around the eyes can change with age. This can lead to the appearance of droopier or more hooded eyelids, but the actual shape of the eye is unchanged.
  • Weight changes: Significant changes in weight can sometimes alter the look of the eye area due to alterations in facial fat.
  • Swelling: Swelling due to allergies or injury can change the apparent shape of the eyes, but this is temporary.
  • Makeup and Hairstyles: The way you do your makeup or style your hair can dramatically alter the appearance of your eye shape, though the underlying shape remains the same.

Therefore, while the appearance of your eyes may change due to these factors, the core shape of your eyes is generally fixed.