Botox Running into Eye?

Question

I had Botox today for the second time (by a different doctor), and he let the excess Botox run down in my eyes and I am freaking out. Does anyone know what side effects this could have, if any?

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

It would be best to see an ophthalmologist (an eye doctor) to examine you. It&rsquo;s doubtful that any effect has resulted, but it would be safer to get your eyes checked.

Bryan K. Chen, MD · Answer

I do not believe you will notice any bad side effects from this incident.  Chances are it was a very small dose of Botox that got into the eye.  The worst thing that could happen (unlikely) is Botox affecting one of the eye movement muscles, causing temporary double-vision.  If this happens, I would consult your eye doctor (ophthalmologist).
Good luck.

Scott E. Kasden, MD, FACS · Answer

First, that was sloppy to drip in your eye, no question.  I doubt that that little bit will cause a problem.  Hopefully you washed the eye out, and even if you didn't your tears should do the trick.
The effects of Botox take 4 to 7 days to manifest, and are temporary (fortunately).  I am interested to hear if you have any problems, would you please email me?
thanks.
sek

Francisco Canales, MD · Answer

Hello
Although it may seem like something will happen after Botox dribbles in the eye, the likely thing is that nothing will happen.  Remember, you are having small doses of Botox injected into your facial muscles. So, if a small amount squirts into your eye, it usually ends up being less than one unit of Botox.  That is a minute amount and should not affect your eyes.   
Botox was initially injected directly into eye muscles to correct strabismus.  At worse, you may notice some eye symptoms that should resolve within a couple of weeks.  Best of luck.

Marc Cohen, MD (retired) · Answer

Botox will not irritate the surface of your eye. If it were going to, it would have done it immediately.  
Additionally, Botox will not travel through the surface tissues of your eye to the muscles around your eye or to the interior of the eye. There should be no effect at all. Bottom line, you don't need to worry. 
Hope this helps you feel better about this.

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD (retired) · Answer

For this to become a problem the Botox would have to go around the eyeball and sneak into the lateral rectus muscle. This would be very unlikely to happen. Presumably the Botox would be wiped off before it did. If you have heard reports of this happening it was usually when the area (lateral canthus) was intentionally being injected to prevent ocular spasm.
     A few years ago, this inadvertantly happened to a patient I was injecting. Nothing bad happened and the patient, though anxious like you, did fine.
   I hope this reassures you

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