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Can Restylane Injections Damage my Eyes?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Michael Zarrabi, MD
Question viewed 38,470 times
Tags: eye hollows, eyes, under eyes, safety, side effects

I will be having Restylane injected for my under eye hollows. I am so afraid. I worry about retinal occulusion, and blindness. I also worry about long term effects. Can you give me your opinion about the procedure under the eyes? Thank you.

17 answers to Can Restylane Injections Damage my Eyes?

Are Restylane injections around the eye safe?

Restylane injection around the eyes is very safe and can be an effective way to treat the hollowing in the lowest portion of the lower eyelid known as the tear troughs. The most common side effects are bruising, swelling, and lumps or bumps. If the product is injected into a vein or artery around the eye, it could migrate to the eyeball and cause blindness. This is an extremely rare complication. With a careful and experienced physician, the chances of any complication can... more

Michael Zarrabi, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

www.drzarrabi.com

Don't have Restylane injection for under eye hollows

Although many doctors use Restylane, Juvederm and other soft tissue fillers to correct under eye hollows, I do not. Although retinal artery occlusion and blindness is very rare and unlikely (2 cases in the literature), visible lumps under the skin and downward migration of the filler is very common. The eyelid skin is so thin that the filler is often visible as grey lumps. More commonly, filler injections for under eye hollows, after 6 months are pushed downward by gravity and the action... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

RESTYLANE AND THE EYE

Restylane and other hyaluronic acid derivatives are an effective and time proven substance for correcting under eye hollowing (tear troughs). The usual side effects are bruising, redness, and tenderness that subside quickly. Lumpiness or a blue-tinge to the eyelid skin (Tyndall effect) are other side effects resulting from misplacement of the filler substance. In extremely rare instances the injectable filler can be inadvertently placed into a vein or artery resulting... more

Adam J. Cohen, MD
Skokie Oculoplastic Surgeon

Experience counts

I really love doing hyaluronic treatments under the eyes. I say this even though I am a facial plastic surgeon who does eyelid surgery every week! I started doing the injections about 4 years ago and have even had the treatment myself about 2 years ago. It is amazing as the results can easily last 2-3 years( if not longer). Although reports of blindness are present in the literature I would recommend that you choose your doctor carefully and consider the background, training and experience... more

Robert F. Gray, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Blindness from Restylane is highly unlikely

Restylane injections are very safe when performed by someone who has alot of experience working around the eyes, such as an oculoplastic surgeon. It's true that if the material is injected into a blood vessel, this can cause retinal artery occlusion and blindness. I have seen one case described in the medical literature. I always withdraw the needle as I'm injecting so as not to push filler into a vessel. Again, make sure you go to someone experience with injections of Restylane around... more

Jonathan Hoenig, MD
Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon

Restylane Treatments Under the Eyes

Restylane and other dermal-fillers can be used to treat the tear trough and orbital rim under the eyes. If performed by a qualified physician with experience treating these areas, it is an effective method to rejuvenate the eye area and can provide remarkable results. This area of the face has thinner skin and requires a higher-level of experience and technique to obtain natural results. It is crucial that you find a physician that possess both credentials and... more

David Mabrie, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Restylane injection under the eye is very safe to correct tear troughs and hallows with blunt cannulas.

Restylane is a great filler to improve the under eye hallows and tear troughs. It is extremely safe. Using blunt cannulas, this is even safer because the vessels around the eye will be even more difficult to enter. Blunt cannulas also lead to less bleeding, less swelling, and less bruising in this area. I have been doing this procedure since early 2011 with the blunt cannulas and urge you to get a doctor that is experienced with this technique for your treatment.... more

Steven F. Weiner, MD
Pensacola Facial Plastic Surgeon

Be careful!

As they say “anything can happen”, although it seems an unfortunate expression for your question. My answer is that there will always be risks but if you have a qualified doctor who is aware of not only the anatomy of the face but the eye as well, your risk of damage will decrease. It comes down to who you choose to have your procedure done. My advice, choose wisely!

Yael Halaas, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Restylane injection around the eyes

Restylane can be injected in the undereye hollows/ tear trough area. There is a remote possibility of loss of vision with any procedure around the eye area including injection of filler. I would recommend going to someone experienced with injecting around the eye area and familiar with the anatomy.

Keshini Parbhu, MD
Orlando Oculoplastic Surgeon

Restylane injection to undereye hollows/circles

Restylane injection to the undereye hollow ("tear troughs") should only be done by someone who understands the anatomy of the eyelid region and the potential risks involved. The skin of the lower lid is thin, and the injection must be placed deep to avoid visible lumps and discoloration. Although rare, there are reports of blindness following injection near the eyes. Proper technique is crucial in this area, and you should choose your injector accordingly. The technique... more

Anita Patel, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Restylane under the eyes must be done carefully.

You asked if there was a risk of damage to your vision. I must say yes, there are more risks associated with under eye filler injection than with the more straightforward nasolabial (melolabial) fold injections. 100% for sure only a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon experienced in surgical procedures around the eye should be performing this procedure. Many think they can do it, but many run into trouble, ranging from visible filler lumps that never go away, to occlusion of... more

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ArtofDermatology.com

Restylane is safe under the eyes

Restylane is not only safe, but very useful below the eyes for tear trough and depressions. Restylane is injected over the bone or in the fatty tissue well below the eye. In the hands of an experienced doctor, it is perfect in these situations.

Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon

Restylane and under eye hollows

Although the use of soft tissue fillers in other areas of the face is well established and associated with high patient satisfaction, their use for the management of dark circles/hollows is proven to be the most exciting new application for fillers. The treatment comprises a series of micro-injections along the line of the hollow. The area is then gently massaged to ensure even distribution of the gel. The treatment is undertaken as an office procedure that offers immediate cosmetic results... more

Ioannis Mavrikakis, MD, PhD
Greece Oculoplastic Surgeon

Safe techniques for Restylane injections under eyes

As the other posts have said, the odds of a serious complication such as blindness from a retinal occlusion are extremely low. In order for that to happen, the injection needs to be done directly into a blood vessel. I have started using a non-cutting needle for injecting into that area, mainly because I believe it eliminates any bruising. Since bruising is also caused by sharp needles cutting tiny blood vessels, it should be safer, too, in terms of the rare potential for retinal... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Blindness from Restylane under the eyes

We are aware of only one "potential" case of blindness relating Restylane to under eye treatments. In this case, there was no conclusive link drawn between the injections and other possible reasons for the blindness. The "tear trough" injection procedure under the eyes is very safe when done correctly. This means proper placement of the product under the muscle and in the correct location (from the eye). Using a "retrograde" injection technique, the product... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Restylane injections for under eye hollows

Restylane has become a common material for the treatment of nasojugal grooves, along the bony orbital rim beneath the eye. When performed by a qualified injector it is considered very safe and effective. I have not heard of any incidences of blindness, or other serious complications. This is possible but highly unlikely with a qualified physician. The effect should last 6-9 months. If you are deeply concerned, you should discuss this with your physician. Cosmetic procedures are elective, so... more

Ira D. Papel, MD
Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facial-plasticsurgery.com

Very limited complications from Restylane injections under the eyes

Although the injection of Restylane under the eyes is “off-label” (Not approved by the FDA), we have great results in the over 500 patients we have treated for this cosmetic indication. We have never had a complication that could not be easily fixed. The only complication that we have seen is a little lumpiness or blue tinge to the skin. If that occurs (as it has to less than 5 of our patients) we can use another medicine, hyaluronidase, to smooth out the lumps and take away the... more