Botox is Currently Approved to Treat Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)

Strabismus, commonly known as crossed eyes, occurs when both eyes are not able to align on the same point at the same time, and appear to be pointing in different directions. This condition not only causes aesthetic issues but also medical problems for the eye. The weak eye will turn in toward the nose and away from the target that it was required to focus on.
Dr. Thomas Fiala is a renowned cosmetic surgery expert providing state of the art surgical as well as non-surgical solutions, including Botox. Botox is a proven and effective treatment for crossed eyes. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Fiala provides Botox to patients in Orlando, Altamonte Springs, FL, and surrounding locations.
 

Problems with Strabismus

Crossed eyes or strabismus, in the early stages, can lead to disorientation or double vision because the eyes do not align together. A child with strabismus will involuntarily reject the image of the incorrectly aligned eye.
As a result, the related nerve connections between the brain and the eye may not develop. This can lead to the eye remain permanently turned, which is called lazy eye. Such conditions can cause both aesthetic and vision issues.
 

Botox Treatment

Botox therapy for strabismus is a way to correct this problem without involving cosmetic surgery or another invasive procedure. Botox is injected directly into the targeted extra-ocular muscles, which causes the muscle to relax and as a result, the misalignment of the eyes is reduced. The usage of botulinum toxin to treat crossed eyes was reported first more than 35 years ago, and is believed to the first ever use of this toxin for medical purposes.
Today Botox injections into the muscles that surround the eyes are an established therapeutic option for the management of strabismus. The impact of the toxin will last only for about three to four months in terms of muscle relaxation. However, the improvement in alignment may be long lasting in many cases. If the muscle pulling in the opposite direction or the antagonist muscle is overactive, it will be stretched upon injecting with Botox. This may permanently lengthen the muscle by adding tissue during the stage of toxin paresis.
 

Procedure

After the target area has been numbed locally, the provider will inject Botox directly into the selected eye muscles. A specially designed needle electrode connected to an EMG apparatus as well as to a syringe containing Botox solution may be used. The provider will ask the patient to move the eyes just before Botox is injected.
This will create an EMG signal that will deliver instant feedback on the correct placement of the needle. This intervention can be completed in just one to two minutes, if the provider has adequate expertise in performing this technique. Experienced plastic surgeon Dr. Fiala receives patients from Orlando, Altamonte Springs, FL, and nearby areas for Botox treatment.
 

Dosage

Botox must be administered in highly controlled and precise dosage, depending on the individual situation. The efficacy of multiple treatments may reduce if the patient shows immunoreaction.
 
For more information of the treatments and procedures offered at this Plastic Surgery Center & Orlando Medical Spa by Dr. Thomas Fiala please contact us at (407) 339-3222 or visit www.plasticsurgeryinflorida.com ; day-spa-orlando.com ;freezemyfatflorida.com