Irreversible vision loss should be added to the list of potential complications associated with injection of cosmetic facial fillers.
Michelle V. Carle, MD, from Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, Los Angeles, California, and colleagues report 3 such cases of blindness or near-complete vision loss in an article published online March 6 in JAMA Ophthalmology. All 3 patients had central retinal artery occlusion shortly after receiving an injection of 1 of 3 different dermal fillers. The injections were in the forehead area, which is not an approved site for dermal fillers but is a common off-label use, the researchers write.
In 1 case, a healthy man in his late 30s noticed field vision loss the day after getting an injection of hyaluronic acid. Using fluorescein angiography, clinicians found blockage of retinal circulation in the left eye. He continued to experience left-eye visual field defect a year later.
In the second case, a healthy woman in her early 60s presented with severe vision loss the same day she had an injection of autologous fat into the high forehead. Fluorescein angiography revealed patchy choroidal filling and incomplete filling of the retinal arterioles.
In the third case, a healthy woman in her mid-40s also presented on the same day she had an injection of bovine collagen and polymethylmethylacrylate microspheres (Artefill, Suneva) in her forehead creases. She reported that after the procedure, she could not see with her right eye. Fluorescein angiography revealed delayed and patchy filling of some proximal arteries in the right eye. She still had minimal reaction to light 2 days later, despite aggressive therapy by Dr. Carle and colleagues shortly after the injection.
Why take such unnecessary risks. Wrinkle reduction can be achieved safely with acupuncture methods, using needles and non-needle techniques as well (micro currents, laser frequency lights).
See our section on Facial Rejuvenation for more information.
Larry Hand
March 07, 2014
Reported by Medscape (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/821639)
