If Botox Drips into Your Eye After an Injection Could It Freeze the Eye Muscles?

You don't have to worry that botox would have a significant effect on your eye muscles if it gets accidentally dripped on the surface.  One reason is your tear film and its clearance function will protect you and wisk away the botox.  Two, its unlikely that any of it would get absorbed in the first place in any significant amount.  Right now there are no transmucosal/transconjunctival/transdermal applications clinically available for anywhere in the body for that reason.  And I would disagree with the comment that the future transdermal application pathway suggests your accidental drop would get absorbed, because the transdermal absorbtion is slow and takes either a patch or prolonged contact.  So in the end, you have nothing to worry about. #botox

I have seen this type of question before. There is a microdroplet of Botox liquid at the end of the very fine needle that hangs over its edge when the needle is withdrawn from the skin and moved to another site of injection. A small drop of liquid Botox falling into the eye has not been reported to cause a problem to my knowledge.

 

The information provided in Dr. Shelton's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice.  The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs. If you are experiencing a medical emergency proceed to your nearest emergency room.

 

Absorption through the cornea or mucous membranes is minimal, so there is nothing to worry about except the inappropriate waste of that expensive drop! This can result from having an air bubble in the syringe, which may also reduce the amount of Botox you actually received as compared what you paid for. In my opinion, this could happen to anyone, but if it is common it really reflects poor technique and practice! Best wishes!

This is a good question. The Botox should not absorb through the conjunctiva of the eye and must be injected in proximity of the nerve and muscle interface to produce the paralytic effect.

 

Be healthy and be well,

James M. Ridgway, MD

That liquid contains a minute amount of BOTOX.  It is very poorly absorbed if at all through the conjunctiva and cornea.  As near as we know, it has absolutely no effect.  The biggest tragedy is that each drop probably cost ten bucks!