Dangers of Filler Injections in the Eyelids

For centuries, women have used various methods to beautify themselves. The ancient Egyptians were the first to use cosmetics, during the 4^th millennium BC. Believing that "cleanliness is next to godliness," creams, perfumes, soaps, and oils were part of their daily regimen. Today's technology has made beautification techniques more complex. One popular method is the use of filler injections (i.e. Restylane and Collagen) into the eyelids, to remove dark circles underneath. However, these shots can create several health dangers:

1. Normal side effects of Restylane injections can include redness, inflammation and irritation. These side effects are common in several types of cosmetic procedures, and are not associated exclusively with Restylane. While these effects typically disappear less than a week after the procedure, sometimes they persist for longer periods.

2. Some patients who get the injections have reported lumps in the region of their eye and cheek. Inflammation of the eyelids has also resulted from such surgeries.

3. Abstaining from using Vitamin E, aspirin and Ibuprofen before receiving a Restylane injection, will reduce the occurrence of bleeding and bruising.

4. Within 48 hours following a Restylane treatment, it is vital not to massage or rub the treated region. Also, do not allow the treated area to become in contact with extreme heat. That includes via sunbathing or in a solarium. Furthermore, you should also avoid extremely cold temperatures.5. After receiving a filler injection in one's eyelids, the patient will be unable to see well enough during the next two or three days, to read. Thus, he or she should not return to work until seven to ten days following the procedure. This will allow the affected area to heal well, and could prevent any problems or accidents that the recovering patient could experience.

6. Of particular interest is that the companies themselves that produce the soft tissue fillers, suggest that the filler not be injected into the eyelid. While this procedure can be effective, the filler could be mistakenly injected wrongly. If it were to be injected into a blood vessel that leads into the eyeball or drains it, the eye could become gravely damaged, and blindness itself could result. The worse case scenario is the doctors were to mistakenly inject the filler directly into the eye itself!

7. Cases exist in which the physicians performing soft tissue filler injections into the eyelid lack training in surgery involving the eyelids. In other instances, they do not have the in-depth knowledge that is needed to perform such procedures.