Using Alphagan for Droopy Eye from Botox

Botox given around the eye area has a potential to affect the muscle that opens the upper eyelid. This causes a drooping of the eyelid, which can be very concerning to patients. This happens rarely (less than 1% of the time). Experimental evidence has shown that botox can diffuse from an injection site approximately 1 inch or 2.5 cm.
Although the amount that reaches areas next to the treatment site does not often cause problems, there are cases where side effects occur. Frown line injections or injections underneath the tail of the eyebrow (to produce a brow lift effect) are the most likely treatments to cause a droopy eyelid.
With that in mind, remember that this problem is temporary in nature. It will often wear off long before the cosmetic benefit of the injection has. Treatment with eyedrops, such as Alphagan or Iopidine, can help to soften the lid drop, by raising the eyelid 2mm or so. It does this by stimulating a different eyelid muscle that was not affected by botox.
Alternatively, some patients will wear their glasses or purchase a pair of nonprescription glasses to help conceal the droop. Others will just use a cover story of an eyelid infection during the period of recovery.
If the eyelid drop starts 3-4 days after the injection, then it will probably last about 3-4 weeks. If it starts 4-6 days after the injection, then it should wear off faster. Good luck and remember that it will absolutely get better.

 Eyelid droop can be corrected with a prescription eye drop (Iopidine 0.5%). This can help alleviate the droop within a few weeks to a month. You can also wait a couple of months for the effects of the Botox to wear off, at which point the droopiness will also go away.

            It’s
not unusual for patients with transverse forehead wrinkles and vertical frown
lines to undergo treatment with botox. Unfortunately, the botox can sometimes
migrate and affect the surrounding structures. When botox migrates in an
inferior direction, the elevators of the eyelid can be effected which causes
the eyelid to droop. This occurs in about 1 to 3% of patients undergoing botox
injections and appears to be related to the technical skill of the injector. 

            When
this situation arises, it usually takes about 4 to 8 weeks for spontaneous
resolution. This varies depending upon the amount of botox given and the
strength of the underlying muscles.

            When
patients are unwilling to wait for spontaneous resolution, several options are
available. These include eye drops which partially reverse the impact of botox.
These include the eye drops alphagan and lopidine. Both are assoiaed with
excellent clinical responses and high levels of patient satisfaction.

            Alphagan
is frequently used to treat this complicationof botox injections. This drug is
typically used to manage glaucoma, but can be used to treat a drooping eyelid
following botox injections. The drug works by stimulating the muller’s muscle
within the eyelid. It’s only contra indication is the use of monoamine oxidase
inhibitors.

            If
you’ve developed eyelid sag following botox, it’s important to consult your
plastic surgeon. With these eye drops, this problem can usually be
satisfactorily addressed.