Botox

What is Botox?

BOTOX® is a purified protein that comes from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.It works by stopping nerves from releasing acetylcholine, a substance that transmits signals from nerves to muscles

How is Botox used in the  treatment of eye conditions?

Botox is widely used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes. It is also of great benefit in treatment of squint or strabismus as it weakens the overacting muscles thus restoring alignment. It can be used as a preoperative test to demonstrate the possible effects of surgery or even as a permanent solution for intermittent squints.

The effects are apparent within a few days, reach a peak around two weeks and then taper off. They usually wear of by three months but the injection can then be repeated.

Side effects and contraindications?

Botox is a safe and very well tolerated drug and there are very few serious side effects associated with its use as the quantities involved are too small to cause systemic effects. It is possible for the toxin injected to diffuse and cause drooping of the eyelid but this usually resolves spontaneously within 3-4 weeks of injection.