Is there a risk of eye damage with Botox above the eyebrow?

Question

I have some scrunching muscle above my eyebrows (not in between the brows, just above, especially on one side.) Is there any risk of damaging my eyes when injecting Botox/etc there? Or is this only for botox applied around the eyes?

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. While a photo would be more helpful in evaluating the wrinkles you have, Botox is generally a safe procedure and should cause no issues when injected around the eye area. But in the hands of an inexperienced injector, complications may occur. Side effects may include Botox migrating from the injection site to the adjacent muscles. I recommend seeking treatments from reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeons. These experts not only have the knowledge and experience necessary to safely perform Botox treatments, but they have the aesthetic eye to produce natural-looking results. You may schedule an in-person consultation to have your face evaluated, allowing your doctor to design the best treatment plan for your concerns and goals.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

There should be no issues with Botox being injected near the eye area. Consult with a specialist to discuss your concerns. Best, Dr. Emer

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Injecting Botox above the eyebrow would not cause any damage to the eye itself.  There is a very minimal risk of a temporary droop to the eyelid or eyebrow when it is injected above the brow though.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Assuming administration by a specialist, there should not be any issue with a Botox injection.

Marc Polacco, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Injecting botox above the brow should have zero chance of ocular injury.

Sergio Guiteau, MD · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your question. It would be helpful to see where above your eyes you have the wrinkles so we can give a more detailed answer for your specific case. That being said, you do have to be careful about where you inject neurotoxin above the eyes and more specifically above the eyebrows. Injecting botox directly above the lateral half of your eyebrows (side closest to your ears) can result in some complications. These include the neurotoxin migrating into the muscles that control the upper eyelid resulting in a droopy eyelid. Injecting neurotoxin closer to the eyelid or the eyes can actually result in such complications as eye redness, dryness, and/or blurry vision. While the vast majority of these effects are temporary, they can last several months and will definitely necessitate the need of an eye specialist such as an opthalmologist. 
I hope this was helpful :-)

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Botox is commonly used to soften wrinkles in this area and carries a low risk.  Treatment is done in the office with final results seen two weeks after injection.  Botox effects will gradually fade over three to four months.  Be sure to visit with an experienced injector for your treatment.

Anshul Gambhir, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! The risk of placing botox directly above the eyebrow is that it can make your brows feel heavy and possibly even make your eyelids droop so if that area is treated it will have to be done carefully and with knowing the risk that could happen. You will need to treat in between your brows if you wanted to attempt to treat the scrunching muscles above your brows. Treating in between the brows helps to counter act any heaviness and will help to lift your brows upwards. Hope this helps!

Mark T. Boschert, MD · Answer

That is exactly what Botox is used for, it can also be used in the muscles right next to the eye typically by eye doctors. You should not worry about it.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

What you have is a broad transverse corrugate muscle that sits just above the orbital rim. This is something we do daily without problems. The only risk is that an inexperienced injector places the Botox wrong or that you rub the area toward the eye before the Botox is set thus pushing the Botox through the hole in the fascia separating the forehead from the eye where a nerve and vessel traverse.