Can Botox Impair Vision?

I had Botox done approx. 4 weeks ago. I now have a droopy eyelid, but I'm also finding it difficult to focus with my right eye. Is this normal, and has anyone gone thru this before? If so how long does it last?

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by ginag0612 in Corona, CA

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This is not normal, but these complications have occurred before and are not permanent.

Uncommon, but reported complications of Botox to the lower forehead area include "ptosis" or droopy eyelid and "diplopia" or double vision which I suspect is what is going on with your right eye. Botox can spread to the muscles responsible for raising the eyelid as well as the muscles responsible for eyeball movement. These complications are more likely to occur if the injections are located within 1 cm of the rim of the eye socket. The droopy eyelids and double vision... more

Report this to your injector and see an ophthalmologist for a thorough evaluation and treatment!

Thank you for your great question? Botox works by blocking acetylcholine, a chemical released from nerves to stimulate muscle function. When Botox is injected for cosmetic use, side effects usually occur in two major areas: paralysis of the wrong muscle group and allergic reaction. Allergic reactions are rare. Adverse effects most commonly seen from Botox present with inappropriate facial expression such as drooping eyelid, uneven smile, or loss of ability to close the eye. Inability to... more

Botox and Droopy lids

For patients that have some degree of upper lid ptosis (an eyelid that is slightly lower than it should be) or for patients with significant brow ptosis your frontalis muscle (your forehead muscle) may have been compensating for the extra skin. Botox may be blocking the action of that muscle causing you to be unable to use your forehead muscle to keep that skin out of the way. Botox can also diffuse into muscles that are responsible for keeping your lid elevated though this is rare... more

Botox can temporarily impair vision

Botox Cosmetic migrates a little bit away from the injection site, like a drop of water in the pool. As a result, Botox may affect facial muscles not intended. Injections around the eyes, which are helpful for wrinkle reduction, may spread to a muscle responsible for lifting the upper eyelid, called the levator. This migration occurs with anyone who injects Botox, including dermatologist, facial plastic surgeons, and cosmetic specialists. Ptosis, otherwise known as a droopy or saggy eyelid,... more

Eye drops might help with droopy lid from Botox

It is a rare adverse effect for Botox injection. The migration of the product into the orbicularis muscle will lead to the lid ptosis. Application of alpha blocker eye drops will help to a certain extent. Otherwise, if you wait, it will go away.

Botox eyelid sagging can be partially and temporarily reversed

When Botox is injected it can spread almost 3 cm (~1 inch from the injection site). When it is injected, it is kind of similar to predicting what an ink spot will look like when you deposit a drop of ink on a tissue. It's not the same everytime. One of the best ways to control this is by using concentrated doses and injecting very small quantities to limit the diffusion. In the eye area, 3 cm is a large area and it includes the area 3cm around and 3cm deep. Therefore it is possible to... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Droopy eye from Botox

Drooping of the eyelid is not common. Sometimes when the botox is injected to close to the eyeball, it can affect the muscles that move the eye as well. The effects of Botox will last 3-4 months.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Eye eye eye

Gina, You are describing one of the earliest identified adverse events occuring from Botox injections, ptosis or drooping of eyelid. This is EXTREMELY rare nowadays since so many years of experience with Botox has taught us how to avoid this complication. Although it can still happen to almost anyone, it is likely that you had a relatively inexperienced injector. See your board certified plastic surgeon for advice on how to improve your condition. Good luck!

Botox probably injected too low in the brow.

To ginag0612, Hi. This happened to two of my patients years ago when I was learning how to use Botox. Botox has to be injected at least one centimeter (about half an inch) ABOVE the eyebrow. Otherwise, the Botox can relax the muscles that control the eyelid and the movements of the eyeball. This is probably what happened to you. The droopy lid and the difficulty to focus are very annoying, but this will not hurt your eye and it will clear up in 6 or 8 weeks. There are eye drops that... more

A droopy eye is not uncommon.

When Botox is injected into the the glabellar or frown region it is possible to get ptosis or drooping of the eyelid. If injected too close to the junction of the orbital roof and rim the paralysis of the botox can penetrate the mucles that lift the eyelid (levator muscle) and move the eyeball in certain directions causing diplopia or double vision. Unfortunately, this will last for several weeks or months, depending on the amounto of Botox used, before it begins to resolve. Fortunately... more