Botox for migraines leads to severe eyelid droop for woman

In the United States, Lydia August, 28, underwent a Botox treatment on September 10 in hopes of alleviating her migraine symptoms. However, 12 days following the procedure, she reported no improvement and experienced severe side effects, particularly eyelid drooping. This condition, known as ptosis, is a rare occurrence associated with Botox injections, which can happen if the product spreads to the levator palpebrae superioris muscle responsible for lifting the eyelid. Notably, August was unable to contact her doctor promptly when the drooping began, as it occurred on a weekend. By the third day post-treatment, August noticed that her eyelid was halfway closed, and by the next day, it had closed fully. Despite attempts to manage the discomfort with recommended remedies, nothing proved effective, leaving her having to wait for the Botox to wear off naturally over time. This unfortunate situation has affected her daily life significantly; she has difficulty driving and attending to work tasks, relying on her other eye heavily as it compensates for the drooping eyelid. According to medical professional Lord, who commented on the situation, eyelid drooping is temporary and typically resolves as the Botox dissipates in the body. He mentioned that apraclonidine 0.5 percent eye drops could assist in lifting the eyelid slightly during this period, allowing some relief. However, August has said that despite trying these remedies, she has exhausted all options and will have to wait until her body metabolizes the Botox fully. In the midst of her frustration, August has attempted to maintain a positive outlook. She shared her situation through a humorous TikTok post, where she acknowledged the difficulty her condition has caused. As she navigates the challenges brought on by the eyelid drooping, including feeling overused eyes and needing to tape her affected eyelid, she remains hopeful that the Botox will eventually wear off, restoring her normal vision and eye function.