Botox Caused Eyelid to Almost Close?

Question

After Botox, my lid is almost closed. My doctor must have hit a nerve. How long will it take to look normal again? What should I do?

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Tony33,
It sounds like you have a condition called "Ptosis" which is eyebrow droop. It occurs when Botox is not injected properly or migrates to a location not intended (the muscle that controls the eyelid). 
Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for the condition.  Your physician will be able to give you a prescription for eye drops, which may help a bit, but you will also need to wait it out as the condition will probably take 2-4 months to resolve completely.  Visit your practitioner for a discussion and follow up.  Good luck.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a very rare but real side effect of Botox.  It happens most commonly if someone injects in the wrong place or uses larger dilution volumes for Botox.  It also happens some times for no identifiable reason at all.  In any case, it will get better as the Botox wears off over three to six months.  It is not permanent.  Your doctor can prescribe some eye drops for you that help stimulate the eyelid to open.  However, the drops only help lift the lid 1 to 3 mm.  Good luck.

Daniel Reichner, MD, FACS · Answer

Tony,
Too much Botox in the wrong places will cause a drooping eyelid. Botox paralysis of the frontalis and/or the levator palpebrae muscles may cause your eyelid to partially close. 
The 0.5% apraclonidine drops can partially help (~2 mm elevation) by contracting the Mueller muscle inside the eyelid. Unfortunately, it takes more than 4 weeks for the significant improvements you are looking for. I recommend that you return to your plastic surgeon to discuss the options for improving your drooping eyelid.

Frank P. Fechner, MD · Answer

The levator muscle action is necessary to keep the lids open. This muscle has been relaxed by the Botox injection, leading to a condition of ptosis. This adverse effect may be shorter lived than the routine Botox longevity of 3-4 months. At its worst, the ptosis may last for the whole 4 months. 
I would recommend that you see your doctor in follow up.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Closing of the upper eyelid may be one of two things. It could be that the brow is now too heavy to keep elevated and so the eyebrow descends and the upper eyelid is hard to keep open. But, you should be able to open your eye fully. 
The other thing it could be is that the Botox got into the muscle of the upper eyelid and paralyzed it. If this is the case, then you need special eye drops to counter the effects of the Botox until the Botox wears off.

Botox Caused Eyelid to Almost Close?

Answers (9)

Answer: The Botox did relax neighboring eyelid muscle

Answer: The Botox did relax neighboring eyelid muscle

Answer: Botox and upper eyelid

Answer: Botox and upper eyelid

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Botox Caused Eyelid to Almost Close?

Answers (9)

Answer: The Botox did relax neighboring eyelid muscle

Answer: The Botox did relax neighboring eyelid muscle

Answer: Botox and upper eyelid

Answer: Botox and upper eyelid

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

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