Ophthalmological Complications of Aesthetic Medicine Procedures: A Narrative Review
July 2025
in “
Journal of Clinical Medicine
”
New to Botox? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary In this review, experts discuss the low but significant risk of serious eye complications from popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedures like fillers and botulinum toxin injections, underscoring the need for awareness, careful patient selection, and adherence to safe practices to help prevent these outcomes. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
This narrative review examines the rare but severe ophthalmological complications associated with aesthetic medicine procedures, such as dermal fillers and botulinum toxin injections. Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) from filler embolism is the most severe complication, often leading to permanent blindness, with 198 reported cases of vision loss, primarily linked to hyaluronic acid fillers. Key risk factors include injections in facial "danger zones" with direct arterial connections to the ophthalmic circulation. Botulinum toxin injections can cause temporary issues like ptosis and diplopia. Prevention through proper injection techniques, informed consent, and practitioner preparedness is crucial, as effective treatments for vision loss are limited. The review underscores the importance of collaboration between cosmetic practitioners and eye care professionals to improve management protocols and patient safety.
