Droopy Eye and Eyebrows After Botox

asked 3 years ago by Ana vickie in Houston, Tx
Latest answer by A. Peter Salas, MD
Question viewed 4,428 times
Tags: droopy, side effects

I had Botox done before and always being happy with the outcome result. This time, I came to Houston and got Botox. The following morning, I got a droopy eye. I went to a second doctor who promised he can fix the problem by injeccting 15 units more. Now, I look even worse and uneven, with a droopy eyebrow aside from the droopy eye. I'm using Alphagan P, but now I'm really concerned. How long will this last?

5 answers to Droopy Eye and Eyebrows After Botox

Upper eyelid "ptosis"

Dear Ana Vickie, Unfortunately, you have been given Botox too close to the eye. this has resulted in weakness of the muscle that helps open the eyelid (AKA the Levator Muscle). The reason Alphagan helps is because it works on another muscle (AKA Muller's Muscle) keep the eyelid open. As you know Botox generally lasts about 3-4 months. Fortunately the effect of Botox on the Levator Muscle is shorter than it is in other areas. You should begin to see improvement within a couple of months. As... more

A. Peter Salas, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

The longevity of the droop depends on whether you respond to the Alphagan.the

Dear Ana I just complete a study of patients referred for management after developing a droopy upper eyelid after cosmetic BOTOX. This is a rare situation but that fact I know will be of little comfort. The dose of BOTOX you got to treat the orbicularis oculi after developing the droop is much higher than is usually advised. The orbicularis is the muscle that helps close the eye. If it is weakened too much you actually will have trouble closing the eye and this can lead to severe... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Let Botox settle for a few months

Just let it settle, and in a few months it will be all better. You will likely see improvement in several weeks. You can safely start with Botox after things have worn off. Hope this helps.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Droopy eye and eyebrow

This is an unfortunate incident, but your droopy eye and brow should not be permanent because the effects of Botox are not permanent. The droopy eyelid is uncommon but can occur particularly when the injection site on the forehead is close to the eyebrow. You should see gradual improvement over the next 1-2 months. You might want to inform both of your doctors what happened to help prevent this complication from occurring in their future patients.

Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist

Droopy eyelid and droopy brow are two seperate issues

A droopy eyelid results from unwanted relaxation of the levator muscle. In your situation, the droopiness happened rather early and some swelling (i.e. adding weight to the lids) may have been involved, too. The brow droop results from over-relaxation of the frontalis muscle. this muslce creates the horizontal forehead creases. It sounds like the second doctor tried to counteract the droopy brow by injecting Botox into the orbicularis muscle. Sometimes, this works, but not always. Longevity... more

Frank P. Fechner, MD
Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon

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