Extreme pain, loss of vision, or the presence of floaters at the time of injection are signs that something might be wrong. Sometimes, hyaluronic acid can be accidentally injected into a blood vessel and this could cause temporary vision problems. The most tragic and feared complication of under-eye fillers is injection into a blood vessel or compression of a blood vessel that compromises circulation. If the filling material affects the central artery of the retina, visual loss may occur.
This is incredibly rare and, in my opinion, even rarer if a cannula is used. Bruising, black eyes, swelling, and infection are all risks, but swelling usually subsides after a few days. There is the Tyndall effect, which occurs when the filler is incorrectly placed on the skin, resulting in a blue or gray tint. The most serious complications are vascular.
Vascular occlusions can lead to necrosis (tissue death), scarring and, even more seriously, blindness. In fact, dermal fillers have already resulted in 98 reported cases of blindness (Beleznay et al, 201). The most common side effects of tear fillers are swelling, bruising, and some pain or discomfort after the procedure. These are all temporary side effects and should go away within a few days.
The area of the lacrimal canal is subtle, so the goal of the treatment of the lacrimal canal should be to improve but not to remove the area completely. Most hyaluronic acid-based tear fillers last between 6 months and 1 year for the average person, but may last longer for some depending on the person. Dr. Hope Dinh, a dermatologist operating at Hope Dermatology in South Melbourne, says that tear filler can have a significant rejuvenating effect, making a person look rested, refreshed and younger.
After the lacrimal groove under the eye filling, some patients may experience swelling under the eye area or in the middle region of the cheek. However, a non-surgical injectable treatment that uses dermal fillers to improve and correct the lacrimal canal area has become increasingly popular in the last decade, as it offers less risk than surgical procedures and can produce excellent results that can last up to 2 years each time. The results of filler injections for the lacrimal canal will vary from person to person, depending on their unique condition and the type of filler used. The lacrimal canal is not a very mobile part of the face and therefore the dermal filler will stay in place longer than somewhere like the lips, since the body takes longer to metabolize.
As these tissues become depleted, the skin in the area of the tear canal becomes less supported and may sag, leading to bags and a tired appearance on the face. Other over-the-counter creams that contain antioxidants, retinoids, and peptides (including collagen peptides) can also plump the skin in the tear canal area to help reduce the appearance of holes or dark circles under the eyes. If a skilled professional correctly performs tear fillers, the results should be subtle, but they make a noticeable difference in the appearance of tired eyes. Similarly, proximity to the eye means that the treatment of the lacrimal canal is best performed by expert oculoplastic surgeons, such as Daniel Ezra, who understands the complex anatomy of the ocular area and can successfully handle any post-operative complications related to the eyes if it occurs.