Author(s): Lynda Charters
Key Takeaways
- Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures can cause rare but severe ophthalmological complications, including irreversible vision loss from central retinal artery occlusion.
- Prevention is crucial due to limited effective treatments; proper injector training and informed consent are essential.
- Safe injection techniques and emergency preparedness, including having a “filler complication kit,” are vital for minimizing risks.
- Continued research and collaboration among eye care clinicians are necessary to improve management protocols and enhance patient safety.
Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that include dermal fillers, botulinum toxin injections, autologous fat grafting, intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments are popular and generally safe. However, according to a recent report, these procedures can result in rare but serious ophthalmological complications, such as central retinal artery occlusion (RAO) and ischemic optic neuropathy.1
Other consequences that have varying degrees of severity and reversibility include diplopia, ptosis, dry eye, and orbital cellulitis, according to Lucía De-Pablo-Gómez-de-Liaño, MD, PhD, first author. She is from the Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre; Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Faculty of Optics, Complutense University of Madrid; and Centro Internacional de Oftalmología Avanzada, all in Madrid.
The researchers published their results in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.
RAO caused by inadvertent intravascular filler injection is the most catastrophic event, often resulting in irreversible vision loss.2-6 The first clusters of filler-induced blindness were reported in the early 2010s (many in East Asia), and by 2015, a literature review had already compiled 98 cases worldwide.7 Since then, dozens of additional cases have been published, indicating that while the absolute risk is very low, the growing volume of procedures means ophthalmologists and aesthetic practitioners will inevitably encounter such complications,8-11 the investigators explained, emphasizing the importance of recognition of potential complications.
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Source: Ophthalmology Times