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Are Soft Tissue Fillers Causing Blindness?

Eyeid FillerAs skin ages, it loses elasticity over a period of time and this lack of elasticity coupled with the constant pull from gravity can cause excessive skin to hang on your upper and lower eyelids. On the upper eyelids, an extra fold of skin can get in the way of seeing, and on the lower eyelids it forms wrinkles and bulges. Oculoplastic surgery is a general term used to define several procedures that involve the orbit, tear ducts, eyelids, and the face.

Worrying Trend in use of Fillers

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of soft tissue fillers for treatment of facial wrinkles and skin folds- such as the nasolabial folds- but research shows there are risks associated with their use. Soft tissue filler can cause both temporary and long term side effects but the majority of people who undergo eye procedures only experience temporary side effects.

A report by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. highlights some of the issues caused by a rising popularity in the use of soft tissue fillers. An increase in the number of people using these fillers has led to a rise in complications such as rare cases of vision abnormalities, damage to the skin, or formation of hard nodules in the face.

Among the more common reactions reported to the FDA include movement of filler material, severe allergy, and leakage or rupture of filler material. Swelling and pain are normal after treatment but more serious side effects can last weeks or months after the procedure, causing undue suffering.

Even though the actual risk of blindness is rare, in the study published by Wolters Kluwer Health, it was found that prevention of these complications requires that the injecting physicians possess a firm understanding of vascular anatomy as well as prevention and management strategies.

Your Surgeon should be Well-informed

When going through eye surgery procedures, patients need to be assured that they are in safe hands, and Dr. Mehryar Taban’s wide range of expertise means that patients get the best treatment without the added risk of filler complications. By using the latest technologies and adhering to best practices, Dr. Taban offers a range of ocuploplastic treatments that cover areas such as canthoplasty, augmentation, and various cosmetic eye procedures.

With good training and years of experience, Dr. Taban focuses on preventing any complications relating to soft tissue filler, and patients can expect positive results – with reduced incidents of allergy and complications.

An In-depth look at common Ocuploplastic Treatments

Patients who have undergone the following procedures with Dr. Taban can expect significant benefits including a major boost in quality of life. Here is a look at some procedures:

  • General eyelid surgery: this can include procedures such as blepharoplasty and eyelid reconstruction for entropion, ptosis, ectropion, and eyelid tumors.
  • Blepharoplasty: blepharoplasty procedures- both upper and lower- are used to correct cases of bagginess on the eyelids. The procedure is usually done for cosmetic reasons and is an effective solution for older people who may experience reduced vision as a result of upper sagging eyelids.
  • Cheek lift and augmentation: this is meant to add volume to the face and tighten the cheek and jowl area in patients who lack adequate definition of their cheekbones.
  • Tissue fillers: facial fillers are made of a variety of ingredients including hyaluronic acid gel, and injectable filler is a soft tissue filler that is injected into the skin to minimize facial wrinkles and restore a smooth appearance. It is also used to remove under eye dark circles which are usually due to hollowness under eyes. Millions of soft tissue filler procedures are performed in the U.S. each year, and some of those procedures are meant to assist in oculoplastic surgery.
  • Fat transfer: fat transfer is also known as fat grafting, and is a natural, minimally invasive surgical procedure that can be performed in conjunction with other types of facial surgery including facelifts, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and eyelid lift.
  • Canthoplasty: this is a procedure used to correct a drooping appearance or create an upward slant in the outer corner of the eyelid. Canthoplasty is a common procedure for individuals looking to obtain the much-sought-after cat eye look.
  • Aesthetic eye treatments: one aspect of modern oculoplastics is the use of minimally invasive procedures that help enhance the general aesthetics of the face by use of safe techniques such as skin rejuvenation, lasers, brow lifts, and a variety of other procedures.

Watch out for Signs of Ageing

The earliest signs of ageing appear on the area around the eyes and individuals with a droopy eyelid may experience worse signs due to descent of forehead tissues which creates a disinterested look and a serious case of mind-face disparity. Cosmetic eye surgery is used to provide relief of symptoms of appearance while rejuvenating procedures such as a brow lift or blepharoplasty can help replace damaged or dead tissues to restore your face to a more relaxed, youthful state.

What to Expect

Before scheduling an invasive procedure, you will be required to stop using any medicines that thin your blood, and stop smoking at least 2 weeks before and after surgery. For minor procedures, patients are given local anesthesia and are able to go home the same day, and during the procedure, the surgeon may place special contact lenses on the eyes to protect them from bright lights in the surgical room.

Contact an expert Ophthalmologist

For individuals experiencing a clear sagging of the eyelids, eyebrows, or forehead, surgery may be the only solution to restore the delicate features around the eyes to their original state. These situations call for procedures such as a brow lift- this normally involves small incisions in the scalp, or blepharoplasty on the upper and lower eyelids, where excess amounts of skin and fat can be shaped to a more desirable outcome.

By using equipment such as endoscopes, ophthalmologists are able to reverse some of the more obvious signs of ageing or correct problems caused by exposure to UV rays or serious trauma. For a more comprehensive analysis of your specific case, contact Dr. Mehryar (Ray) Taban today by calling 855-822-2663 to book an appointment, and find out some of the procedures that can be used to treat your condition and reverse the effects of age, trauma or years of neglect to your face.

Next, read 5 Reasons to Undergo an Upper Blepharoplasty