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Is an Opthalmologist Qualified to Inject Botox and Fillers?

asked 2 years ago by snowball1 in Virginia
Latest answer by Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH
Question viewed 1,380 times

23 answers to Is an Opthalmologist Qualified to Inject Botox and Fillers?

+1

Finding a Botox Physician (or nurse) You Trust

We get this type of question often because we have nurses and physician assistants injecting Botox.  The bottom line is that most intelligent and dedicated practitioners that have put much time and effort into studying facial musculature and anatomy and the effects of Botox on the facial musculature are going to be qualified to inject Botox.  The question is not so much about their speciality, but about the dedication to the art and science of injection procedures. If the... more
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

+3

Yes If Trained and Experienced

Some opthalmologists are very skilled at injecting BOTOX. Please realize that the husband-wife team of the Carruthers discovered the cosmetic use for this agent. The female half of this team is an opthalmologist and was using Botox to treat blepharospasm. She noted it smoothed out wrinkles, summoned her dermatologist husband and the rest is history. I really do not know much about opthalmologist and fillers. Fillers strike me as more of a skin thing than an eye thing, but now adays who... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+2

Many Ophthalmologists are highly skilled and trained in the use of Botox and fillers

Many Ophthalmologists are highly skilled and trained in the use of Botox and fillers. It is more important to consider the background and experience of the individual doctor rather than the specific board certification. In addition most of the early research in the clinical use of botulinum toxin later known as Botox was done by ophthalmologists. These medications were first used to treat complex eyelid and eye muscle disorders.
J. Timothy Heffernan, MD

Seattle Oculoplastic Surgeon
+2

Can an opthalmologist inject Botox?

Yes they can. This is assuming that they have received the proper training and perform the procedure frequently. There are many physicians in the "core group" of injectors (plastic surgeons, dermatologist, opthalmologists) who know how to do the injections, but haven't done one in years. It is important that you find someone who is well-versed in injectable treatments and is comfortable doing it.
Sirish Maddali, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon
+2

Opthalmologists are considered part of the core specialists for Botox injection

Ophthalmologists along with Otolaryngologists, dermatologists and plastic surgeons are the core specialists who typically recieve training in the use of Botox. This does not mean that each of these specialists perform this service routinely and therefore you should ask about your physician' s unique experience with Botox injections.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+2

Ophthalmologists and injectables

Many ophthalmologists are skilled at Botox, Dysport and injectable filler treatments. Much like you would check the credentials of your dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or facial plastic surgeon, make sure that the doctor performing your injections has undergone appropriate training and has experience with the techniques. Best of luck!
Sam Jejurikar, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Ophthalmologist Qualified to Inject Botox Fillers

Yes, as long as they have undergone the training. Their general training in the eye area and vicinity of the eyes makes them familiarized with the anatomy of the face. Injecting in the face does require training for any kind of physician. In essence it is the training and experience of the injector that is more important than their actual medical specialty. Regards
Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Opthalmologists certainly have the basic skills

Dear Snowball The better question is given my choices who is the best person to go to in my area. Generally, the best choice will be a physician or surgeon is the so-called aesthetic core: Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, Otolaryngology (including facial plastics), and ophthalmology (including oculoplastics). That does not mean that say a family practitioner can't safely perform these services. So much depends on the individual. However, doctors board certified from the aesthetic core will in... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Who is qualified to inject Botox and Fillers?

State laws vary about who can legally inject cosmetic treatments such as Botox and Restylane. For this reason, patients really have no idea who is doing the injecting, and it's up to the public to carefully research credentials, experience, and quality. The safest thing to do is to pursue these treatments with one of the four core physician specialties in cosmetic treatments: board-certified dermatologists, plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, and oculoplastic surgeons. That... more
Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH

Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon

www.ArtofDermatology.com

+1

Qualification of Botox and filler physician injector

Just as the experience of board-certified dermatologist and plastic surgery varies from one to another when it comes to Botox and fillers injection, the same applies to ophthalmologists. You should have a better odd with someone qualified by seeking an oculoplastic surgeon vs. an ophthalmologist.
William Ting, MD

Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Qualifications to inject Botox

My suggestion would be to see a highly trained and board certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in Botox injections or a similarly qualified dermatologist.  Both specialties have specific training in Botox injections.  Good luck.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Botox is a prescription available to all doctors

When looking for a doctor for treatment with Botox, experience and knowledge of the facial anatomy is important.  Ask a friend to recommend a doctor they've used or go to the company website for recommended doctors.
David A. F. Ellis, MD

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cosmetic Indications Were Discovered By An Ophthalmologist and Dermatologist

Botox has been used in ophthalmology for years for blepharospasm and strabismus; well before its cosmetic indications.  Drs. Carruthers, a Vancouver couple ophthalmologist and dermatologist, are credited for the discovery of its cosmetic indications.  Ophthalmologists, especially ocular plastic surgeons,  have an excellent knowledge of facial anatomy.  They are well qualified for multiple facial procedures.
Mark Berkowitz, MD

Sterling Heights Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Eye Doctor Injecting Botox and Filler

The answer is - it depends. I would be hesitant about any doctor without formal training in Botox and filler injections. If the eye doctor you choose has formal training and experience in performing such injections, you should be just fine.
John M. Hilinski, MD

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Eye doctor and Botox

An oculoplastic surgeon is probably better than a general eye guy to perform Botox.  Fillers may be OK as well but make sure that they have experience doing it.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Make sure your doctor has a lot of experience working with Botox

  These days, many physicians are offering Botox. The patient needs to carefully do their homework. Although Botox may be offered by many different types of physicians not all physicians have the same level of experience with this procedure. To ensure that you receive the best results, it is best to go to a board certified physician who has a great deal of experience with Botox. In our practice, our patients appreciate the results we can obtain with Botox and also the many other... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Training and experience are key factors

Depending on the training, different physicians may perform these treatments aside from dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Some ophthalmologists are oculoplastic surgeons and do these treatments also. Board certification and great experience in performing the treatments and an understanding of the anatomy are crucial criteria for a physician to be considered qualified. Side effects and complications can occur with any treatment; so, be sure to see a specialist that is known to have great... more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Depends on the doctor

Unfortunately, there are no restrictions on any physician injecting Botox. The federal government deregulated medicine in the late 70's in order to create more competition. Unfortunately, now anyone can do anything they want-OB/Gyn's doing breast augmentations and liposuction, Dermatologists doing facelifts etc. It's crazy but because cosmetics is a non-insurance based business everyone wants in. An oculoplastic surgeon has training in some facial cosmetic surgery. They should be able to... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon
+1

Opthomologists and periorbital injectables

Ophthalmologists as a general group have a very good understanding of the eye and the surrounding structures. As such, they have the background to be well qualified to use injectable nuromuscular agents and fillers. That being said, the individual ophthalmologist will need to be trained in the specifics of the injectable being used, and then have background experience. Who ever you plan to see, ask them their experience with the agents, how long they have been using them, what type of... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Opthalmologists are appropriate for Botox

Ophthalmologists, Dermatologists, and Plastic Surgeons are the most appropriate medical specialists to treat patients with botox. Ideally, these doctors should have experience with this procedure and they should be board certified. 
Steven Hacker, MD

West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon

www.palmbeachdermasurgery.com

+1

As long as they are trained and experienced

An ophthalmologist is certainly a reasonable person to inject fillers and Botox as long as they have been properly trained and have a good deal of experience.  They are ceertainly not better than a plastic surgeon but many can be equal in this arena.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Absolutely

The first use of Botox for cosmetic use was done by a husband and wife dermatologist/opthalmologist team in Canada (the Carruthers). Qualified "core" aesthetic physicians include these 2 specialties as well as plastic surgery and otolaryngology (ENT). Of course, proper board training and certification is only one part of the formula. Experience and artistry are the other important components for good results, so check the doctor out online and with friends and neighbors. more
Mary Lupo, MD

New Orleans Dermatologist

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