Botox for Eye Conditions & Wrinkle Reduction
You’ve probably heard of Botox in connection with reducing wrinkles, but did you know that its initial use was to treat various eye conditions? In fact, until recent decades, ophthalmologists were the only ones who were allowed to administer it.
In order to alleviate twitching and spasms, and to correct imbalances in muscle tension that can lead to crossed eyes or double vision, ophthalmologists inject Botox into muscles around the eyes. Injecting these muscles with Botox can temporarily reduce or eliminate crow’s feet.
If you want to find out how Botox treats eye problems and smooths out facial lines, book your appointment with one of our eye doctors at Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates in Stamford today.
What Is Botox?
Botox is made of its active ingredient, botulinum toxin type A, as well as human albumin (found in human blood plasma) and sodium chloride.
Once Botox is injected into the muscles around the eyes, it prevents the nerves from sending signals to the muscles. The affected muscles are temporarily weakened or paralyzed and appear to relax. Therefore, if an overactive muscle is responsible for eye spasms and twitching, injecting Botox will stop or at least reduce the problem.
What Is Botox Used for?
Botox has several uses. While most of them are medical, Botox is now popularly associated with cosmetic treatment.
Botox for Eyelid Twitching (Blepharospasms)
Eye twitching can have multiple causes, including nutritional deficiencies, excess caffeine consumption, fatigue and dry eye syndrome. If eye twitching doesn’t have an identifiable underlying cause, it may be diagnosed as benign essential blepharospasms or BEB. Botox is used to relax overactive eyelid muscles to stop eye spasms and twitching.
Crossed Eyes (Strabismus)
Strabismus, or crossed eyes, is often caused by malfunctioning eye muscles or nerves around the eyes. The strength imbalance between the two eyes can result in an eye turn, and crossed eyes. Botox will prevent certain muscles around the eyes from working for a while, reducing or eliminating the eye turn. This can enable the eyes to straighten, providing clearer vision.
During this procedure, the eye doctor will use a needle connected with an EMG or an electromyogram. When the patient moves the eye, the muscle will contract and the ophthalmologist will inject Botox in the correct place.
Botox for Wrinkles
To reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and near the eyes, some people choose to have injections (shots) of botulinum toxin. These are often called by their brand names, such as Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin® or Jeuveau™. Once injected, the chemicals relax certain facial muscles rendering targeted wrinkles less noticeable for a period of time.
Who Should Avoid Botox Treatment?
Although Botox can be a highly effective treatment for certain eye conditions and wrinkles, it is not recommended if you:
- Have a skin infection
- Have a neuromuscular condition, such as myasthenia gravis
- Take certain medications, such as penicillamine, polymyxins, and cyclosporine. Certain antibiotics may make the Botox effect too strong
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
How Is Botox Administered?
Botox is administered using a small needle. There may be a small pricking sensation or mild discomfort but it’s usually minimal. Before the treatment, topical anesthetic cream or a cold pack will be applied to numb the area. The procedure usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes and the patient will be able to carry on with most of their normal activities immediately following the procedure.
Keep in mind that following Botox, you should avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours, avoid lying down for at least 4 hours, and be sure to stay out of the heat and sun for some time. Speak with your ophthalmologist for more specific guidelines.
What to Expect After Botox
There may be mild discomfort after the anesthetic cream wears off. If you experience any side effects or discomforts, it’s important to communicate them to your eye doctor.
Since it takes a few days for the Botox to fully attach to the nerve ending, most patients will see results 2 to 4 days following the treatment. Others may only start experiencing effects 10 to 14 days later. The treatment will typically last for 3 to 4 months before it wears off.
Looking for Botox Treatment in Stamford?
Our ophthalmologists at Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates in Stamford will answer your questions regarding Botox and will help determine whether Botox is right for you. Contact us to book your appointment today!
Q&A With Our Physicians in Stamford
How can I extend the time between Botox treatments?
Most patients need Botox treatments every three to four months. This period could be longer or shorter based on your eye condition and age. You may be able to extend this phase by:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Not smoking
- Taking good care of your skin
- Reducing exposure to the sun
Some patients find that Botox treatments are longer-lasting with repeated use, whereas others find that their bodies build up a resistance to Botox and they need to receive more frequent treatments over time.
What are some potential side effects of Botox treatment?
Possible side effects may include:
- Inflammation, swelling and redness in the treated area
- Dry mouth
- General fatigue
- Headache
Some patients who are allergic to Botox may experience:
- Itching
- Wheezing
- Sudden onset of asthma
- Dizziness
Speak to your ophthalmologist if you have any of these symptoms. If it turns out that you are allergic to Botox, your ophthalmologist will suggest alternative treatments.