Can Restylane Injections Damage my Eyes?

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.

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19 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

Doctor Answers (19)
Community Comments (2)

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

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

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

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

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

Can Restylane Injections Damage my Eye

There have been reports of blindness from injection of dermal fillers around the eyes in very rare cases . That is why it is important to see a board certified Plastic Surgeon who has experience with these injections.

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!

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

Restylane under eyes

I find that Restylane injections under the eyes are a great treatment for under eye hollows and can sometimes be used to camoflage puffiness under the eyes in patients who are not ready for surgery. I have treated hundreds of patients with under eye injections (including myself) and have never had any of the problems you mentioned in your question. No cosmetic procedure or treatment is without risk, but Restylane injections under the eyes have an excellent track record overall. Definitely... more

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

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Comments (2)

TXDogMom 3 Dec 2012

I had Restylane injections under my eyes and ended up having a Retinal Arterial Occlusion (stroke) in my right eye that resulted in a blind spot. I was tested for everything under the sun, and there was no other explanation. I'm sure it was NOT reported so be careful when you hear that there are only "one or two" reported cases! I would only let a doctor trained in the anatomy of the eye do an injection again. And, most people don't know that none of the fillers are FDA approved for injection under or around the eye. That is considered "off label" use. My doctor never warned me of that or the potential for a stroke in my eye. So ask questions about this and know that, although relatively rare, this does happen more often than the literature reflects.

9438anon 21 Jul 2012

I understand your concern. Dr. Hoenig worked wonders for me. You can look for an ASOPRS member, who should be able to do a deep injection. More superficial injections can cause appearance issues, so an occuloplastic surgeon may be best. I have gone to and consulted with excellent oculoplastic surgeons. None of them recommend fat transfer due to the high frequency of lumpy results.

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