Botox caused eyelid to almost close?

After Botox, my lid is almost closed. My doctor must have hit a nerve. How long will it take to look normal again? What should I do?

Sort: Date | Helpful
8 answers to “Botox caused eyelid to almost close?”

A: Botox and upper eyelid

Steven Wallach, MD

Closing of the upper eyelid may be one of two things. It could be that the brow is now too heavy to keep elevated and so the eyebrow descends and the upper eyelid is hard to keep open. But, you should be able to open your eye fully. The other thing it could be is that the Botox got into the muscle of the... more

A: The Botox probably leaked into the eyelid muscle

David Shafer, MD

This is a very rare but real side effect of Botox. It happens most commonly if someone injects in the wrong place or uses larger dilution volumes for Botox. It also happens some times for no identifiable reason at all. In any case, it will get better as the Botox wears off over three to six months. It is... more

A: Drooping Eyelid after Botox

Daniel Reichner, MD

Tony, Too much Botox in the wrong places will cause a drooping eyelid. Botox paralysis of the frontalis and/or the levator palpebrae muscles may cause your eyelid to partially close.  The 0.5% apraclonidine drops can partially help (~2 mm elevation) by contracting the Mueller... more

A: Eye drops can be helpful for drooping lids

Edward S. Lee, MD

The most likely explanation is that the Botox drifted lower than where it was initially placed. The Botox then paralyzed the levator muscle which raises your eyelid. Without this muscle your eyelid can't open fully and looks like it's halfway shut no matter what you do. Alphagan are eye drops that can help... more

A: Botox probably seeped into the muscle that opens your eye.

George J. Beraka, MD

Hi!  It's not a question of hitting a nerve.  What probably happened is the Botox was injected too low in the eyebrow (close to the upper eyelid). Alphagan eye drops help with this problem.  The good news is it always goes away, but it may take as long as 6 to 10 weeks.

A: The Botox did relax neighboring eyelid muscle

Frank P. Fechner, MD

The levator muscle action is necessary to keep the lids open. This muscle has been relaxed by the Botox injection, leading to a condition of ptosis. This adverse effect may be shorter lived than the routine Botox longevity of 3-4 months. At its worst, the ptosis may last for the whole 4 months.  I would... more

A: Botox and eyelid closure

Bryan K. Chen, MD

I would return to the individual who injected your Botox for further evaluation. Drooping of the eyelid is an uncommon occurrence and near-closure of the eyelid after Botox is even more unusual. If the injected Botox has migrated to the muscle that elevates the eyelid, you may benefit from Lopidine... more

A: Several weeks before you can lift eyelid up

Scott E. Kasden, MD

It will probably take a couple of weeks for the lid to start to lift up, and for you to see again.  It will take longer for the brow and lid to "look normal". Botox can last 4 to 6 months.

Post your question

Botox before & after photos

Post your question
IMPORTANT: As noted in our Terms of Service, the information found on RealSelf.com, including that provided by professionals in the Questions & Answers area, is a general educational aid. The Questions and Answers contain opinions and views created by community members. RealSelf.com is not responsible for the accuracy of any information posted by community members. Do not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes.