Can Botox cause double vision?

Question

I had Botox 4 weeks ago by a fully trained nurse . I had a top up 2 weeks ago , I felt my eye sight had changed where I was straining at distance, iv now got double vision in my right eye. I have had an eye test which was all clear no glasses needed. I'm having bloods and an eye appointment Monday . Can you advise please ?

Rajat Gupta, MD, MS, DNB · Answer

Yes. If the Botox migrates or is not done at the right place, it could go to the ocular muscles. So if it paralysis the ocular muscles, you may have double vision. Usually if this has happened due to migration, it is a very small dose and gets corrected within few days or weeks but if Botox was done at a wrong place, it may take more time to get corrected. Please consult a board certified plastic surgeon to review your case.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for question. What has probably happened is that the nurse who treated you injected to deep or too close to the intra-orbital muscles. This muscle is responsible for your eyeballs, so if the muscle on one side is affected by Botox, typically the lateral rectus muscle and the other side is not. Therefore, you will get unequal movement, which results in double vision. This should resolve in a few weeks, if not it can take 3 months to resolve when the Botox wears off. I recommend having a consultation with an ophthalmologist for evaluation. Best of Luck!

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for question. What has probably happened is that the nurse who treated you injected to deep or too close to the intra-orbital muscles. This muscle is responsible for your eyeballs, so if the muscle on one side is affected by Botox, typically the lateral rectus muscle and the other side is not. Therefore, you will get unequal movement, which results in double vision. This should resolve in a few weeks, if not it can take 3 months to resolve when the Botox wears off. I recommend having a consultation with an ophthalmologist for evaluation. Best of Luck!

Melda A. Isaac, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, double vision is a rare, reported side effect of Botox injections. It was smart of you to first have your vision checked for glasses, as some people can recruit muscles to see more clearly. Now that you ruled this out by having your vision checked, your double vision likely occurred because Botox migrated into the muscles that control eye movements and eye muscle contractions.  Fortunately, double vision as a side effect to Botox typically lasts only a few weeks.  If your symptoms persist or worsen, I strongly urge you to followup with a board certified ophthalmologist.

Melvin Elson, MD · Answer

this is a known but rare side effect of Botox and should dissipate in a few days.  Most likely it does not have anything to do with poor technique

Pedram Imani, FRACS, MS, MBBS (Hons) · Answer

It's unfortunate that you have suffered this complication. Generally, an in depth knowledge of anatomy is the key  to a good natural result when it comes to injecting Botox. When injections are done by a specialist surgeon, you can be assured that someone who knows and see a the anatomy is injections you.  What I think has happened is that the nurse may have injected too deep or too close to yours intra-orbital muscles which are responsible for moving your eyeballs, so if one muscle on one side is affected by botox, usually the lateral rectus muscle and the other side is not, then you get unequal movement and hence double vision as the image on your retina is not balanced. If the dose was small enough, this should resolve in a few weeks. Worst case is that it may take 3 months. This is usually not the case. You are doing the right thing by getting a consultation, and I think you should see an ophthalmologist for review. Hope this is helpful.

Laurene DiPasquale, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about your problem with double vision after receiving Botox.  Double vision is a very rare complication that can occur after having Botox.  I saw it once after injecting a patient.  It only lasted a few days and went away on it's own.  The patient has had the area injected multiple times before and after without any problems.  Dr. DiPasquale

Faiyaaz Kalimullah, MD, FAAD · Answer

I'm very sorry to hear that you're experiencing double vision after your Botox treatment.  Botox works by temporarily paralyzing overactive facial muscles to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Botox can cause side effects if it drifts and affects other, unintended muscle groups.
Although I have never seen it in my own practice, double vision is a rare, reported side effect of Botox injections.  It occurs when Botox drifts to affect the muscles that control the movement of the eye.  Luckily, this typically only lasts a few weeks in most patients.  If your symptoms persist, please follow-up with a board-certified ophthalmologist.  Best of luck.

Can Botox cause double vision?

Answers (8)

More Botox Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (8)

More Botox Questions

I had 20 units of Botox in my chin to reduce chin dimples. My lower smile is lopsided. Frozen on one side, droops on the other

Botox: Too much? Or am I sensitive?

Botox injections in armpits and getting pregnant?

Is it normal not to be able to lift your head off the floor when lying down flat after having Botox in the neck bands?

3 days after Botox injection to the masseter to slim the jaw, I don't see any effect, should I go back to the doctor?

I was injected botox incorrectly when it will gradually wear off?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS