Oculoplastics and Botox Injections
Oculoplastics really just means eyelid surgery.
With aging, the lower eyelids can sag or roll inwards causing problems with the surface of your eye. Your upper eyelids can develop excess skin and become heavy. Your lower eyelid is a common site for skin cancers. Heavy eyelids, lid malposition and skin cancers are treated with surgery.
Some of us have overactive eyelids, which is a condition called blepharospasm or one side of the face is overactive, called hemifacial spasm. Both blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm are treated with Botox injections.
How do Botox injections work?
Blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm are conditions caused by too much nerve stimulation to the muscles of the eyelids or face. Botox injections reduce the effect of the excess nerve activity therefore the muscles stop going into spasm.
Is the effect of Botox injections permanent?
The Botox injection for hemifacial spasm will be effective for 3 – 6 months and is then repeated. Botox injections for blepharospasm tend to last about 3 months.
What are the side effects of Botox injections?
Sometimes the eyelids droop or don’t close properly leading to dry eye symptoms. The effect of Botox is temporary and so regular lubricants are used until the situation improves which may only be a few weeks.
The Botox dose or injection sites will be altered to avoid these side effects.