Does injecting small amounts of fillers prevent the development of secondary blindness?

• Published in: Journal of cosmetic dermatology 2024-01, Vol.23 (1), p.84-89
• Main Authors: Yi, Kyu‐Ho, Lee, Hyung‐Jin, Kim, Woo‐Ram, An, Min Ho, Park, Hyun‐Jin, Hu, Hyewon, Kim, Hee‐Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blindness; Cadavers; Carotid arteries; Dissection; Embolisms; Ethanol; filler injection; Hyaluronic acid; hyaluronic acid filler; ophthalmic artery; supratrochlear artery; Tomography; Veins & arteries
• ISSN: 1473-2130; 1473-2165
• DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15898

Introduction Inadvertent entry of filler products into the supratrochlear, supraorbital, or dorsal nasal arteries, among other branches of the ophthalmic artery, might result in an immediate and devastating loss of vision. We wanted to examine how much filler could block the ophthalmic artery. Materials and Methods Twenty‐nine fresh cadavers were examined. We exposed the arterial supply to the opthalmic artery by dissecting the orbital area. Thereafter, 17 filler injections were introduced into the supratrochlear, supraorbital, and dorsal nasal arteries each. The amount of filler injection that completely blocked the ophthalmic artery was measured. Additionally, one of the head specimens was processed using phosphotungstic acid‐based contrast enhancement micro‐computed tomography to analyze each arteries to obstruct its whole ophthalmic artery. Results The supratrochlear, supraorbital, and dorsal nasal arteries had mean volumes in milliliter (mean ± standard deviation) of 0.0397 ± 0.010 mL, 0.0409 ± 0.00932 mL, and 0.0368 ± 0.00732 mL, respectively. However, the arteries did not differ significantly. Conclusion Even a modest amount of filler injection can completely block the ophthalmic artery, resulting in visual loss.