While she doesn’t have to worry too much about her safety, Lydia, 28, has certainly been feeling a bit uneasy since relocating from Florida to New Jersey. There, she sought out a new neurologist for Botox injections to alleviate her severe migraines.
Initially, everything seemed fine with the Botox, but just a few days after her treatment, she noticed something off.
“I woke up, looked in the mirror, and thought my right eye was a bit closer to my nose than the left. I figured maybe I’d just slept weird. But by the next morning, it was drooping even more,” she shared.
Her situation was later identified as Ptosis, a rare side effect of Botox that leads to sagging eyelids. This happens when Botox affects the muscles responsible for lifting the eyelids, resulting in partial or complete closure.
“Research indicates that Ptosis occurs in around 1-5% of Botox patients, often depending on where the injections are administered. It generally relates to the product spreading to adjacent muscles that help open the eyelids,” explained Dr. Anthony Brissett, president of the American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Surgery.
For individuals suffering from migraines, Botox is typically injected into areas like the forehead, temples, or back of the head.
“I was aware that Ptosis was a potential risk of Botox, but I had such good experiences previously that I thought the odds were low this time,” Lydia mentioned.
When she reached out to her doctor’s office about her symptoms, the receptionist informed her that the doctor would prescribe eye drops but didn’t plan to see her in person.
“I honestly couldn’t believe he wouldn’t even talk to me. It’s one thing to expect minor sagging, but the fact that my eyes were nearly shut and he didn’t want to meet was surprising,” she reflected.
Lydia’s case was more severe than just a slight droop, impacting her ability to drive and work efficiently. “Driving is pretty much impossible without keeping my eyelids taped open. It’s tough to focus on a screen all day with only one eye,” she stated.
“Luckily, I can work from home since driving is too risky with my vision right now,” she added.
Regarding the eye drops prescribed, Lydia mentioned in her follow-up TikTok video that she hasn’t noticed any improvement despite using them consistently.
Dr. Brissett pointed out that while such side effects are usually temporary and fade within 2-6 weeks as Botox wears off, attentive follow-up care is crucial.
“In most instances, Ptosis resolves on its own. Keeping communication open and providing supportive care during this time is essential as the symptoms can be distressing,” he commented.
While Lydia was aware of the associated risks, she felt let down by her provider’s lack of action regarding her condition.
Dr. Brissett emphasized that Botox has been FDA-approved for migraine treatment for over a decade, aiding many patients but also carrying inherent risks.
“To minimize these risks, it’s important to work with experienced practitioners and have thorough discussions about what to expect before undergoing the procedure. Complications can arise,” he noted.
Although Ptosis is generally temporary, some Botox procedures have had serious repercussions. For instance, a woman in Texas reported a near-fatal reaction after an injection caused her to partially lose the ability to swallow.
