Does Botox cause dry eye (more blinking)? Is there a specific muscle to target to reduce the involuntary blinking?

Question

Blinking eyes results in mass movement (zygomatic, buccinator, mentalis). Have had botox targeting those muscles but affects overall symmetry/smile. I have e also had botox around the eyes to reduce the eye narrowing -- more synkinesis). Are there solutions though to slow down the blink: My lower eye lid moves up when I blink on affected side? Does botox cause dry eye ( more blinking). Is there a specific muscle to target to reduce the involuntary blink (reducing mass movement).

Chen Lee, MD · Answer

Your comments are complex. Additionally, your question is somewhat difficult to interpret. In general, dynamic eyelid closure is an important end component of the blink action.  Dynamic eyelid closure requires a functioning orbicularis oculi muscle. Botox treatment of this muscle especially its pretarsal component can diminish eyelid closure and blink activity. Botox is normally injected into the periocular muscles and is not typically associated with dry eyes. I hope these generalizations assist in your search for answers.

Does Botox cause dry eye (more blinking)? Is there a specific muscle to target to reduce the involuntary blinking?

Answers (1)