Someone Else Just Reportedly Went Blind In One Eye After Botched Filler Injections

Dermal fillers and other injectables are everywhere. The quick and easy in-office procedure has become so popular that "filler parties" are even popping up so you can plump, smooth, and contour your face while gabbing with your BFFs. But the ease of the procedure shouldn't underscore the fact that it still has risks — risks as serious as blindness.

Last year, we reported on a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which explored how hyaluronic acid fillers — like Juvéderm and Restylane — had caused several cases of blindness. Now, it's happened again, this time, to an Australian woman who reportedly lost sight in her right eye after it was said she received injections in a beauty salon, reports New Beauty.

So, how the heck does this happen if dermal fillers are supposed to be safe? It's all about how precisely the needle is placed for fillers around the eye area. "A filler injected improperly into the main artery of the eye, which sits just under the eye, would cause a filler to occlude the artery," Lily Talakoub, a board-certified dermatologist in Virginia, tells Allure. When this happens, the filler blocks blood flow to the eye, which can cause you to lose your sight, she explains.

Technically, this can happen with any filler injected around your eyes, she says (though it's not a risk of neurotoxin injections like Botox). "Certain fillers that are thicker are more likely to cause blindness," says Talakoub. "This can be avoided by having a skilled provider inject under the eye."

This last part is key — experts warn against going to anyone other than a board-certified dermatologist for any sort of injectable. In the Australian woman’s case, which was first reported by Australian investigative show Four Corners, her fillers were reportedly administered by a nurse practitioner at a salon.

This kind of set up isn’t uncommon, med spas and salons with nurses or physician's assistants on staff regularly offer fillers on their menu of services. But, even though it may seem legit, it's really risky, according to the experts. "My advice is to go to a board-certified dermatologist that has experience in undereye fillers," Talakoub says. In fact, it's even worth going a step further before you go under the needle, she says. "Not all board-certified dermatologists even have experience in this area," she explains. "You need to really do your homework."

Before undergoing any type of cosmetic procedure, talk to a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who specializes in the procedure you're interested in and make sure you fully understand the risks.

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