If Botox Drips into Your Eye After an Injection Could It Freeze the Eye Muscles?

Question

If some botox is released from the syringe as it is being moved from one area on the face to another, and the liquid Botox drips into the eye could it freeze or relax the muscles near or around the eye area?

Kevin M. Robertson, MD, FACS · Answer

You don't have to worry that botox would have a significant effect on your eye muscles if it gets accidentally dripped on the surface. One reason is your tear film and its clearance function will protect you and wisk away the botox. Two, its unlikely that any of it would get absorbed in the first place in any significant amount. Right now there are no transmucosal/transconjunctival/transdermal applications clinically available for anywhere in the body for that reason. And I would disagree with the comment that the future transdermal application pathway suggests your accidental drop would get absorbed, because the transdermal absorbtion is slow and takes either a patch or prolonged contact. So in the end, you have nothing to worry about. #botox

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

I have seen this type of question before. There is a microdroplet of Botox liquid at the end of the very fine needle that hangs over its edge when the needle is withdrawn from the skin and moved to another site of injection. A small drop of liquid Botox falling into the eye has not been reported to cause a problem to my knowledge.

	 

	The information provided in Dr. Shelton's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice.  The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs. If you are experiencing a medical emergency proceed to your nearest emergency room.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Absorption through the cornea or mucous membranes is minimal, so there is nothing to worry about except the inappropriate waste of that expensive drop! This can result from having an air bubble in the syringe, which may also reduce the amount of Botox you actually received as compared what you paid for. In my opinion, this could happen to anyone, but if it is common it really reflects poor technique and practice! Best wishes!

James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a good question. The Botox should not absorb through the conjunctiva of the eye and must be injected in proximity of the nerve and muscle interface to produce the paralytic effect.

	 

	Be healthy and be well,

	James M. Ridgway, MD

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

That liquid contains a minute amount of BOTOX. It is very poorly absorbed if at all through the conjunctiva and cornea. As near as we know, it has absolutely no effect. The biggest tragedy is that each drop probably cost ten bucks!

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

If Botox was dripped into your eye, you first need to flush the eye with water. Botox works by injecting it into the muscles so there is a very low chance that Botox that dripped into your eye would have an effect. I hope this helps.

Edward J. Bednar, MD · Answer

Botox needs to be directly injected into the muscle, so dripping Botox or applying it onto your skin will have no effect whatsoever

Amy Forman Taub, MD · Answer

When properly administered, Botox would not be dropped into eye. However, in the unlikely event that this occurred, one or two drops of Botox solution dropped into the eye would not be able to penetrate to the location behind the eye where the muscles reside. In addition, the natural flushing mechanism of the eye would remove the drug very quickly, though it would be prudent to flush the eye with saline anyway.

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

Fortunately there does not appear to be any risk with Botox that has been dripped into the eye by mistake. This is not to say that I would encourage dripping Botox into the eye in larger quantities, and certainly not injecting it into the eye. The tear film would quickly dilute and wash away a small amount of Botox that was dropped on the eye.

E. Ronald Finger, MD · Answer

A drop of Botox dropped into the eye should have no effect. It will be diluted by your tears and washed away into the tear ducts. Also it is poorly absorbed by the conjunctiva and cornea. So don't worry you will be fine.

If Botox Drips into Your Eye After an Injection Could It Freeze the Eye Muscles?

Answers (16)

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