Botulinum toxin (‘Botox’) is made by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. When injected, the toxin disrupts nerve messages to muscles and causes paralysis. It has both medical and cosmetic uses.
Botox is usually given as multiple tiny injections. You should begin to feel the effect after about 3–5 days. It can take a week or so for the full effects to occur. Botox can last up to 4 months.
Medical uses
Eye specialists use Botox to treat a range of conditions including:
- Blepharospasm
- Hemifacial spasm
- Thyroid eye disease
- Lower lid spastic entropion
- Strabismus
- Apraxia of eyelid opening
- Nerve palsies
- Dry eye
- Lacrimal hypersecretion syndrome
If you are diagnosed with a condition that can be treated with Botox, your eye specialist will discuss whether it’s right for you.
Cosmetic uses
You might not know this, but eye specialists are also skilled in using Botox for cosmetic reasons (e.g. to treat crow’s feet and frown lines).
If you are interested in Botox to reduce your wrinkles and lines, contact us to find out more.
