Eye Swelling After Botox

Question

I recently had Botox for the first time. The doctor injected on my forehead, crow's feet and along sides my nose. Since then, my right eye is completely swollen on the upper lid and the inner corner.   Could Botox have caused this?   This has never happened to me before, and it's just happening on the right eye.

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

Swelling is unusual after Botox injection.
In addition to brow ptosis (brow drooping) after Botox, other things in the possibility list include infection or allergic reaction.  
To help with the symptoms try keeping your head elevated to reduce the swelling and contact your injector and explain your concerns.  If the symptoms do not improve within a few days contact them again.
I hope this helps.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

It's unlikely that Botox has caused the swelling of the eye you describe. What's more likely is that Botox has cause a drooping eyelid which in turns looks like and feels like swelling to you.
To be sure there is nothing else going on, schedule an appointment to visit your injector and make sure this is nothing more serious than a droopy eyelid.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Jilupo,  Patients are sometimes referred for swollen upper lids after Botox treatment.  In most cases, if you carefully examine the pre-injection photographs, you notice that the eyebrows have dropped.  What this does is compressing the skin and tissue which is located between the upper lid and brow into a smaller area.  The resultant effect is that the upper lid appears swollen.  Injection more Botox on the lateral portion of the periorbital area may help as it will allow slight elevation of the brow.  However, you may just need to wait for the Botox to wear off.  I hope this is helpful.  David Shafer, MD New York City

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH · Answer

The lid drooping and Botox under the skin that the other doctors have mentioned are valid causes of eyelid swelling after Botox, but there is one other cause to be aware of. The periorbital muscle that gets injected for crow's feet is actually a whole circle that goes around the eye. Its function is to squeeze the eye shut tight and press fluid and edema out of the area. If a lot of Botox was given for your crow's feet, it can actually weaken this function, and allow puffiness to linger around the eyes. Not dangerous, but also undesirable especially if unexpected.

Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS · Answer

After a Botox injection, patients should expect a minimal amount of swelling. This is due to the small amount of fluid that Botox is suspended and. This swelling is usually best treated with compression using an ice pack. The area around the eye has very thin skin with muscle rectally beneath. For this reason, it is possible that you may see some bruising after injection with Botox. This too should subside in the worst-case scenario of 3 to 5 days.

Eye Swelling After Botox

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Eye Swelling After Botox

Answers (7)

Answer: One more cause for eye swelling after Botox.

Answer: One more cause for eye swelling after Botox.

Answer: Eye swelling after Botox

Answer: Eye swelling after Botox

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Everything you need to know about Botox

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