How Can I Fix My Bulging Eyes?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’ve attached a photo of my side profiles and front. The main issue I have is with my eyes, which effects my self esteem the most. They also protrude quite a bit and I was hoping orbital decompression could be done whilst aligning them? I know it’s a very complicated invasive procedure.

The others issues are my jaw, hairline and eyebrows. I clench my jaw (whilst sleeping) predominantly on the left side resulting in having to get a root canals to subside pain in those teeth. So it’s more function than anything.

If it’s possible to get the alignment sorted out, I would possibly at a later stage want augmentation done on my jaw and cheekbones to balance my face out. What would your opinion be on that? Thanks again, your time is very much appreciated.

A: Thank you for your inquiry. You are making an incorrect eye diagnosis. You do not have true orbital proptosis or bulging eyes. You have pseudoproptosis…meaning the eyes appear bulging because the orbital bones around them (infraorbital rim and cheek bones) are deficient. Thus the eyes appear bulging when in fact the eyeball has a normal position. Thus orbital decompression surgery is an incorrect and inappropriate treatment for you. The correct treatment is to build up the underlyling bones which are deficient through onlay facial implant augmentation.

In regards to other issues, Botox injections are the ideal treatment for painful masseteric muscle clenching, which can work spectacularly well.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana