Does Belotero Pose Less of a Risk for Blindness Than Restylane in the Under Eye Hollows (Tear Trough)?

Question

Stewart Wang, MD, FACS · Answer

Both Belotero and Restylane are similar filler and carries same risk for blindness with tear trough injection. However, blindness is a very, very rare complication from filler injection. By having the treatment performed by experienced and well qualified physicians, using proper techniques, you can minimize these rare but serious complication. Blunt tip needle, behind the muscle, and retrograde injection are some of the ways to minimize risks in this area.

	Best Wishes,

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

Belotero and Restylane are very similar and one is not safer than the other. The risk of blindness with any filler is injecting it directly into a blood vessel causing occlusion.  This is an injection error. There are safety protocols in place to prevent this from occurring and any properly trained injector would know this. The key is seeing only well trained, experienced Professionals for injection treatments and you should be safe regardless of product.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Jacqueline.  Like Dr. Echavez stated, we have never seen a case of hyaluronic acid based fillers causing blindness.  In addition, for under eye injections, we inject "under the muscle" and retrograde.  Injecting under the muscle has a lower chance of interfering with a blood vessel and retrograde means injecting the product as you remove the needle from the skin, which also lowers any risk of injecting into a blood vessel.

	If you are visiting an experienced injector, you should be safe using either one of these injection products.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

The risk of blindness from any injection in the tear trough area is extremely rare.  I have personally never seen this happen.  Belotero would not have any less risk of causing this complication than Restylane, or any other filler.

Does Belotero Pose Less of a Risk for Blindness Than Restylane in the Under Eye Hollows (Tear Trough)?

Answers (4)

Answer: Belotero versus Restylane risk of blindness

Answer: Belotero versus Restylane risk of blindness

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Does Belotero Pose Less of a Risk for Blindness Than Restylane in the Under Eye Hollows (Tear Trough)?

Answers (4)

Answer: Belotero versus Restylane risk of blindness

Answer: Belotero versus Restylane risk of blindness

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Belotero

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.