Most people have heard about Botox®, a non-surgical treatment to reduce the frown lines and crow’s feet associated with aging. There has been a lot of publicity about people who’ve had Botox® treatment – on TV, in the newspaper and in magazines. While most people may have thought about reducing wrinkles with Botox®, some are hesitant because they don’t want to look completely different. People will often say, “I just want to look like me, but a better version of me!”
The good news is that you can do just that – with the help of our board certified ophthalmologist who has also completed a fellowship in Ocular Plastic Surgery.
Since 1989, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Botox® for the treatment of 2 eye muscle disorders: blepharospasm – frequent blinking and strabismus – crossed eyes. So, ophthalmologists and ocular plastic surgeons have had significant experience with using Botox® for medical reasons.
Botox® is a sterile, purified protein that is produced by the bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. In small doses, Botox® is injected into muscles to temporarily paralyze or weaken them – thus preventing or limiting these muscles from contracting. For 18 years, these injections have successfully treated patients with blepharospasm and strabismus.
With the long history of successfully treating medical disorders with Botox®, the FDA expanded its review to study its safety and effectiveness in treating cosmetic problems. In 2002, the FDA approved Botox® Cosmetic to treat moderate to severe frown lines between the eyes – technically called glabellar lines. This approval followed clinical studies that demonstrated Botox® safely and effectively reduced these frown lines for up to 120 days. In its approval, the FDA noted that Botox® Cosmetic is a prescription drug that should be used under “medical supervision”. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
You won’t have to worry about who is treating you at Post, O’Connor & Kadrmas Eye Centers. At our Practice, Botox® Cosmetic is only administered by our board certified ophthalmologist who also completed a residency in Ocular Plastic Surgery.
In a 10 minute treatment, our ocular plastic surgeon will administer a series of tiny injections into the muscles between your eyes. The injections prevent or minimize the contraction of the muscles causing the frown lines. Although results can vary, the improvement becomes apparent in the first few days after treatment and can last up to 120 days. Botox® can also be used to treat crow’s feet near the eyes and creases in your forehead.
Some studies have demonstrated that Botox® can reduce the symptoms of migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders called cervical dystonia. The FDA has approved the use of Botox® for cervical dystonia. However, the use of these injections for migraines and excessive sweating are not yet approved, and are considered to be “off-label use”.
The Botox® injections do not require anesthesia or follow up treatment. Your ocular plastic surgeon may first numb the injection site with a cold pack or topical anesthetic, and you will feel little or no discomfort during the treatment. Immediately thereafter, you will be able to resume your normal activities – even returning to work.
