A young woman has shared how a rare facial condition causes her eye to 'bulge' when she chews - but she's turned down surgery to correct it. Marion Karawia, 35, was just five years old when her mum and dad first spotted her eye bulging while she was eating her dinner.

Following a trip to the doctor, she was diagnosed with Marcus Gunn Syndrome (MGS), where movements of her jaw cause her left eyelid to 'lift' because of a nerve rewiring. Marion revealed that growing up with the condition knocked her confidence, particularly when making new mates at school or heading out on dates.

The skincare business co-founder has also disclosed she was offered surgery to have it "fixed", but chose not to go ahead with it, insisting she "loves" it and that the imperfection is what makes her "unique".

• Dog 'adopts' abandoned baby deer and then something amazing happens


• Man with lung cancer given six months to live moves to remote island and lives another 40 years

Marion, from Los Angeles, said: "As a girl growing up in my teens it was tough to navigate. When I move my jaw it looks like my eye is bulging, but it is just my eyelid moving dramatically.

"It was especially tough when going on dates or making new friends. I would try to hide it in some way or another or avoid eating.

"I could have had surgery, but as it doesn't cause any pain or affect my vision, it would be more cosmetic. I realised that I didn't want to or have to feel the need that I needed to 'fix' myself and make it out as such a big deal. I have grown, I am who I am, and I love it."

MGS is a congenital condition, which means Marion was born with it. She revealed that her teenage years and early 20s were particularly challenging, taking a toll on her self-esteem.

Marion explained: "No one I knew had it - I am the only person in my family who has it. To this day, other than the people whom I have met through sharing my story, I have never bumped into someone with MGS.

"It took a long time to come to terms with it, about 15 years. Luckily I wasn't bullied as such, but it still didn't stop me from being bothered by it.

"I always felt I was different. As much as physically, it also really affected me mentally, as at times it was really tough."

She added that it also influenced her social life, particularly when going on dates with lads.

Marion recalled: "If I were to get food with them, I would specifically try and not look down whilst chewing, so it wouldn't show as much if I did. Or I would try to minimise it by chewing slower and looking forward. It made things stressful and meant I couldn't enjoy myself as much."

Marion is now happily wed to her husband, Karim, 34, who she says never paid much attention to her syndrome.

She said: "I've asked him 'have you ever noticed?' and he said 'yeh I did but never thought anything of it', though he did say he had never seen anything like it before."

Marion began sharing her journey on social media - marionsworldd - to raise awareness and boost confidence in others who may be living with MGS. She said: "It's crazy to think that something as simple as eating can have such an impact on people's lives. For me, over time it got better.

"I had to stop pretending that it wasn't and part of me and accept that it is there whenever I move my jaw. I'm sharing my story to help those who have been bullied, embarrassed, or insecure about MGS or any physical condition.

"You are seen, you are special, and you are loved. I love my MGS, it is a part of me and it always will be."